President John Dramani Mahama has suggested a new approach to the controversial Anti-LGBTQ+ bill, proposing that it be introduced as a government-sponsored bill instead of a private member’s bill.
Speaking during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops Conference in Accra on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, President Mahama argued that government sponsorship would give the bill greater legitimacy and improve its chances of passage.
He explained that presenting the bill as a government initiative would reflect broader institutional backing and signal a unified stance on the issue.
“I don’t know what the promoters of the bill intend to do, but I think we should have a conversation about it again,” Mahama said.
“If we decide to move the bill forward, it should be done with consensus. It probably shouldn’t be a private member’s bill but a government bill backed by consultations with all stakeholders.”
President Mahama also highlighted the importance of instilling Ghanaian values through education.
He suggested that an emphasis on teaching cultural and family values in schools could reduce the need for legislative enforcement.
“If we’re teaching our values in schools, we wouldn’t need to pass a bill to enforce family values. More than just passing the family values bill, we need to agree on a curriculum that instills these values in our children as they grow,” he said.
He expressed optimism about ongoing discussions and a potential review conference to build consensus on these issues.
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