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President John Dramani Mahama has expressed skepticism about the need for legislation to enforce family values, suggesting a focus on education instead.
Speaking during a meeting with the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Accra, he remarked, “If we are teaching our values in schools, we won’t need to pass a bill [on LGBT] to enforce our family values.”
President Mahama argued that inculcating moral and cultural values into school curricula would be more effective than legislative measures.
“I think more than even the family values bill is [on] us agreeing on a curriculum that inculcates these values into our children as they are growing up so that we don’t need to legislate it,” he explained.
The President also addressed the legislative history of the previous anti-LGBT bill, which was introduced as a private member’s bill.
He clarified that the bill, often referred to as the “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill,” expired with the tenure of the 8th Parliament.
“As far as I know, the bill did not get to the president. The convention is that all bills not ascended to before the expiration of the life of Parliament expire. And so, that bill effectively is dead,” Mahama stated.
Advocating for a government-sponsored approach, he emphasized the importance of broad consultations and consensus.
“The Bill died with the 8th Parliament, but I think we need to have a conversation on that. It should not be a Private Member’s Bill, but a government-sponsored one,” he added.
Mahama’s remarks also touched on his potential response to such legislation if re-elected president. While reiterating his commitment to Ghana’s cultural and religious values, he maintained that any decision would hinge on a thorough review of the bill’s contents.
“It depends on what is in the Bill,” he said, emphasizing the need for detailed examination and consultation.
The Bishops, led by Most Rev Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, Vice President of the Conference, congratulated President Mahama on his 2024 election victory and urged him to consider reintroducing the bill.
Mahama thanked the Catholic Church for its contributions to education and health, welcoming its input on the moral and educational development of Ghana’s youth.
