President John Dramani Mahama has stated that if Parliament approves the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly called the anti‑LGBTQ bill, he will formally assent to it.
Speaking during a courtesy call by leaders of the Christian Council of Ghana in Accra on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, President Mahama reiterated his commitment to what he described as Ghana’s enduring family and moral values.
“We agree with the Speaker to relay the bill and let Parliament debate it, and then if there are any amendments or whatever that have to be done. If the Parliament of the people of Ghana endorses the bill, votes on it, and passes it, and it comes to me as President, I will sign it,” he stated.
He stressed that gender is determined at birth and that the family remains the foundation of the nation.
“A person’s gender is determined at birth, and the family is the foundation of our nation. That is our position. So, there are no questions or equivocations about what we believe,” President Mahama noted.
President Mahama also expressed support for the Speaker of Parliament’s call for the bill to be re-laid and debated to allow for any necessary amendments or clarifications.
“We agree with the Speaker to relay the bill and let Parliament debate it, and then if there are any amendments or whatever that have to be done,” he added.
The anti‑LGBTQ bill was first introduced in 2021 and seeks to criminalize same-sex sexual activity and the promotion of LGBTQ rights in Ghana.
It has strong backing from religious and traditional leaders but has drawn criticism from human rights groups for potentially violating fundamental freedoms and promoting discrimination.
Under the previous administration, the bill was passed by Parliament in February 2024, but former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo never gave assent, citing legal challenges.
JKB/
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