The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to promptly assent to the Proper Human Sexual Rights and the Ghanaian Family Values Bill, commonly known as the Anti-Gay Bill.
During their Annual Plenary Assembly, which took place from November 8 to 16, 2024, at the Pope John Paul II Formation and Training Centre in Ofoase Kokoben, Ashanti Region, the Bishops criticized the President for delaying action on the bill. They dismissed the reasons for the delay as “mere excuses,” stressing the urgency of the matter.
The Bishops reiterated their firm stance in support of the bill, which seeks to criminalize same-sex relationships and related practices, urging the President to act swiftly in affirming the values of Ghanaian society.
“We urge the President to give his assent to this Bill, which we believe aligns with the moral convictions of almost all Ghanaians. We see no justification for the President’s delayed action on the matter.“In fact, we consider the reasons proffered for the delay as mere excuses. This is not a call for discrimination but for the preservation of our moral fabric and the protection of the traditional marriage and family as the foundation of our society.”
The Bishops expressed their support for the bill, emphasizing that it reflects their commitment to the sanctity of the family and upholding traditional values rooted in cultural and Christian heritage.
“The Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill has ignited passionate discussions across the country. As shepherds of the Church, we support the bill as it reflects our commitment to the sanctity of the family and the upholding of traditional values rooted in our cultural and Christian heritage.”
This bill has been a subject of controversy, with proponents arguing it’s essential to protect traditional family values, while opponents claim it infringes on human rights.
The bill was passed by the Parliament of Ghana on February 28, 2024, but its fate hangs in the balance as President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo awaits the outcome of two Supreme Court cases challenging its constitutionality
The bill’s progress has been stalled due to a Supreme Court ruling on July 17, which delayed judgments on anti-gay cases until all related legal issues are resolved.
