Mahama Gives Strongest Backing Yet to Anti-LGBTQ Bill: “I Will Sign It”
- President John Mahama has given his strongest support yet to potential anti-LGBTQ legislation in Ghana
- He assured the Christian Council of Ghana that they were on the same page when it came to LGBTQ rights
- The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill is a private members' bill first backed by eight legislators
President John Mahama has given his backing to possible anti-LGBTQ legislation in Ghana.
During a visit by the Christian Council to the presidency, Mahama also affirmed Christian stances on marriage being between a man and a woman.
Source: Facebook
During the November 18 meeting, the president also held that gender was determined by birth.
"If the Parliament of the people of Ghana endorse the Bill and votes on it and passes it, and it comes to me as president, I will sign it."
The bill, known as the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, has been reintroduced in Parliament after it was not signed into law by the Akufo-Addo administration because of some legal challenges to it.
At the time, the courts refused to compel him to sign the bill into law, noting that granting such a request would be inappropriate because of the legal challenges at the Supreme Court implied by the bill.
Mahama's previous comments on anti-LGBTQ bill
Speaking during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops Conference on January 14, Mahama said the perceived family values could be better instilled in children when they are young.
3News reported that the president had proposed more inclusive ways to uphold traditional values rather than legislation.
"...I think more than even the Family Values Bill, it’s us agreeing on a curriculum that inculcates these values into our children as they’re growing up so that we don’t need to legislate it.“
Mahama also noted that the bill would have a higher chance of success and broader legitimacy if the executive sponsored it.
He also said his administration is in consultation with the Speaker of Parliament for a version of the anti-LGBTQ bill to be introduced as a government-sponsored bill.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill is a private members' bill sponsored by eight legislators.
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According to the bill, among other things, persons who identify as LGBTQ or engage in same-sexual acts could be jailed between three months and three years.
Open allies of the LGBTQ community, such as donors, activists, or promoters, could be jailed for a minimum of three months and a maximum of six months.
Legal challenges to the anti-LGBTQ bill
YEN.com.gh also reported that Richard Dela Sky and Dr Amanda Odoi had unsuccessfully sued to kill the LGBTQ bill at the Supreme Court.
The respective lawyer and lecturer had challenged the divisive bill on grounds ranging from Parliamentary procedure to fundamental human rights.
The Supreme Court dismissed the petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill in December 2024.
In its summary judgment on the matter, the apex court in the land stated that the panel believed the petition did not properly invoke its jurisdiction.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
