Ghana Catholic Bishops Urge President Akufo-Addo to Sign Anti-Gay Bill, Criticize Delay

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to promptly sign the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, commonly known as the Anti-Gay Bill.

During their Annual Plenary Assembly, held 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 his decision on the bill.

They dismissed the justifications provided for the delay as “mere excuses.”

“We urge the President to give his assent to this Bill, which we believe reflects the moral convictions of almost all Ghanaians. We see no valid reason for the delay,” the Bishops said in a statement. “This is not a call for discrimination, but rather a call for the preservation of our moral values and the protection of traditional marriage and family as the foundation of our society.”

The Bishops reaffirmed their support for the bill, emphasizing that it aligns with their commitment to safeguarding the sanctity of the family and upholding values rooted in both Ghanaian culture and Christian teachings.

“The Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill has sparked significant debate across the country. As leaders of the Church, we stand in support of the bill, as it embodies our dedication to the sanctity of the family and the protection of our cultural and Christian values,” they stated.

The bill, which aims to protect traditional family structures, has been a subject of controversy. Supporters argue it is crucial to preserve Ghana’s cultural and moral framework, while critics claim it infringes on human rights.

Passed by Ghana’s Parliament on February 28, 2024, the bill’s fate remains uncertain as President Akufo-Addo awaits the outcome of two ongoing Supreme Court cases challenging its constitutionality.

The bill’s progress has been delayed following a Supreme Court ruling on July 17, which halted judgments on the anti-gay cases until all related legal issues are resolved.