Proponents and Religious Leaders Push for Expedited Passage of Ghana’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

Proponents of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, have intensified their calls for the legislation's swift passage, challenging recent assertions that the bill is not a primary national priority. Key sponsors, including the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, and Assin South MP, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, are urging President John Dramani Mahama to prioritize executive action and parliamentary focus on the matter. This push comes in response to the President's remarks to civil society organizations indicating that while the bill is significant, the government's immediate focus remains on addressing pressing socio-economic challenges such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Samuel Nartey George has been vocal in rejecting the notion that the government cannot address moral and socio-economic issues simultaneously. He argues that protecting family values and children is an urgent necessity, citing recent incidents of alleged exploitation to underscore the bill's relevance. George, who claims his advocacy has bolstered his electoral support, emphasized that the state possesses the capacity to manage multiple national priorities. He further warned of potential public agitation and protests should the President refuse to assent to the bill once it clears Parliament, though he expressed confidence that the President would eventually honor the legislative outcome.

Adding to the pressure, Rev. Ntim Fordjour has rejected calls for further national dialogue, asserting that the bill has already undergone a decade of debate, public hearings, and legal scrutiny, including reviews involving the Supreme Court. Fordjour called on the executive to fast-track the legislative process, citing previous instances where presidential intervention expedited critical bills. He argued that Ghanaians are now seeking decisive action rather than continued consultation, which he suggests could be influenced by external pressure groups.

Similarly, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has waded into the discourse, stating that moral integrity and economic progress are inextricably linked. The bishops urged the President to honor his commitment to assent to the bill, arguing that stable family structures are the bedrock of sustainable national development. While the bill continues to face opposition from human rights advocates who highlight potential constitutional violations, its proponents insist that a unified, non-partisan approach is necessary to safeguard the country's cultural and moral fabric. The legislation currently remains within the parliamentary process, awaiting final transmission to the Presidency.