The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to urgently assent to the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, commonly known as the Anti-Gay Bill. The Bishops expressed dissatisfaction with the President’s delay, describing the reasons for the postponement as “mere excuses.”
The appeal was made during the Annual Plenary Assembly of the Conference, held from November 8 to 16, 2024, at the Pope John Paul II Formation and Training Centre in Ofoase Kokoben, located in the Diocese of Obuasi in the Ashanti Region. The Bishops emphasized that the bill aligns with the moral convictions of the majority of Ghanaians and preserves the country’s cultural and religious values.
“We urge the President to give his assent to this Bill, which we believe aligns with the moral convictions of almost all Ghanaians. We see no justification for the President’s delayed action on the matter. In fact, we consider the reasons proffered for the delay as mere excuses,” the Bishops stated during the assembly.
They stressed that their support for the bill is not rooted in a desire to discriminate but to protect the traditional marriage structure and family, which they see as the foundation of society. “This is not a call for discrimination but for the preservation of our moral fabric and the protection of the traditional marriage and family as the foundation of our society,” the Bishops added.
The Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill has sparked widespread debate since its introduction. Proponents argue that the legislation is crucial to safeguarding traditional family values and the moral fabric of society. Opponents, however, contend that it infringes on fundamental human rights and could encourage discrimination.
Passed by the Parliament of Ghana on February 28, 2024, the bill has been in limbo, awaiting the President’s signature to become law. However, its implementation faces further challenges due to ongoing legal battles. Two Supreme Court cases have been filed, questioning the bill’s constitutionality, and a ruling on July 17, 2024, postponed any judgments on related anti-gay cases until all pending legal issues are resolved.
Despite these hurdles, the Bishops remain steadfast in their support for the legislation, asserting that it reflects their commitment to the sanctity of the family and the upholding of traditional values deeply rooted in Ghana’s cultural and Christian heritage. “As shepherds of the Church, we support the bill as it reflects our commitment to the sanctity of the family and the upholding of traditional values rooted in our cultural and Christian heritage,” they declared.
The Bishops’ call adds pressure on the President to act swiftly, especially as the bill has become a focal point of national discourse. The Ghanaian public and various advocacy groups remain divided, with some pushing for the immediate passage of the bill to affirm the nation’s stance on traditional family values, while others caution against potential human rights violations and the international backlash the law could provoke.
As the debate continues, the fate of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill remains uncertain. While Parliament has done its part by passing the bill, the President’s delay in assenting to it has fueled frustration among its supporters, including the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, who see it as a necessary step to preserve the country’s moral and cultural identity.
The Bishops concluded their statement with a strong message to the President, urging him to prioritize the will of the people and affirm the nation’s commitment to its foundational values. “This is a call to protect what defines us as Ghanaians. The moral fabric of our society and the future of our families depend on it,” they affirmed.
As the nation awaits further developments, the conversation around the bill continues to ignite passionate discussions across Ghana, reflecting the tension between preserving traditional values and respecting individual rights. The outcome of the ongoing legal challenges and the President’s eventual decision will undoubtedly have lasting implications for the country’s legal and social landscape.
