Mahama outlines condition to sign Ghana’s Family Values Bill

Former President and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Candidate, John Dramani Mahama, has stated that his decision to sign Ghana’s controversial Family Values Bill into law will depend on a thorough examination to ensure its constitutionality. In an interview with BBC Africa on Wednesday, December 4, Mahama clarified that the bill, formally titled the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, must align with constitutional provisions before he would consider assenting to it. “It is not an anti-LGBTQI Bill; it is a Family Values Bill. It was approved unanimously by our Parliament. [LGBTQI] is against our African culture, it is against our religious faith, but I think we must look at the Bill, and the president must indicate what he finds wrong with that bill and send it back to Parliament or alternatively he must send it to the Council of State and get the Council of State’s advice,” Mahama explained. When asked directly whether he would sign the bill into law if elected president, he responded: “It depends on what is in the Bill.” He further stated that, if he had been president at the time of its passage, he would have conducted a detailed review and sought advisory input to ensure its provisions were both lawful and justifiable. “That is what I would have done,” he affirmed.

‘ It depends on what’s in the bill,’ John Mahama, NDC flagbearer said when asked by the BBC whether he would sign the controversial Family Values Bill (anti-LGBTQI+ bill) into law, emphasizing the need to review the bill’s content before making a decision.#GhanaPolls2024… pic.twitter.com/HGRfCovuhp

— ChannelOne TV (@Channel1TVGHA) December 4, 2024

The Bill’s Content and Controversy

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill seeks to impose criminal penalties for individuals engaging in or promoting LGBTQI+ activities. Parliament passed the bill in February 2024, but legal challenges have stalled its progression to the President for assent. In March, President Akufo-Addo’s office formally requested Parliament to refrain from transmitting the bill due to two pending injunction applications at the Supreme Court. The Attorney-General also advised against any action until the legal concerns are resolved.

Ongoing Legal Challenges

Legal opposition to the bill has been spearheaded by journalist Richard Dela Sky, gender activist Dr. Amanda Odoi, and law lecturer Prince Obiri-Korang. These critics argue that the bill violates fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in Ghana’s Constitution. Procedural delays have further complicated the lawsuits. According to a statement from the Judicial Service in September, key parties, including Parliament and the Attorney-General, have yet to complete necessary filings for the cases to proceed.

Growing Public Pressure

Public outcry for the bill’s swift approval continues to mount. On October 8, hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets, demanding expedited judicial action to pave the way for the bill’s assent. The protest, organized by proponents of the bill, attracted a broad coalition of activists, community leaders, and concerned citizens. Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has also pushed for progress, stating on November 7: “I have earlier instructed the Clerk of Parliament to transmit the anti-LGBTQ+ bill to the President for assent.”