'What Ghanaians Want is a Law' - Catholic Bishop Insists on Anti-LGBT Legislation

Accra, Ghana - 15 Jan, 2025 - The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference has renewed its call for the government to expedite the passage of the anti-LGBT bill, also known as the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values bill.

In a meeting with President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday, the Bishops emphasized the need for swift action to ensure the bill becomes law.

President Mahama proposed replacing the current Private Member's bill with a government-sponsored one, allowing for broader consultation and national consensus. He also stressed the importance of revising school curriculums to include moral and cultural teachings, reinforcing Ghanaian and African values in children.

The Catholic Bishops have been vocal supporters of the bill, which aims to outlaw homosexual practices in Ghana. They argue that while the Church respects the dignity of all individuals, including homosexuals, it condemns homosexual acts as "intrinsically disordered".

The Bishops' Conference President, Most Reverend Matthew Gyamfi, urged the government not to hesitate in passing the bill, citing overwhelming public support.

The bill has been a topic of controversy, with critics arguing it would further marginalize Ghana's LGBT community. However, the Catholic Bishops and other supporters argue it is necessary to protect traditional values and morality in Ghanaian society.

“What we want is that it is made into a law. That does not mean that it cannot be taught in the schools if it is made into a law. Many of our laws are taught in schools through civic education and other things,'' he stated.

“So the fact that it should be taught does not rule out the fact that it should be made into a law. Ghanaians are overwhelmingly in favour of it so we don’t want the use of any technical words to demean what Ghanaians want,'' he added.

Source: Florence Kyei / Lead News Online