The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called on President John Dramani Mahama to expedite efforts to reintroduce and pass the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
Most Reverend Matthew Gyamfi, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, emphasized the widespread public support for the proposed legislation, asserting that the nation’s will must take precedence over technical debates.
“What we want is that it is made into a law,” he stated, adding that civic education and school curriculums could incorporate the bill’s provisions to ensure comprehensive understanding. He dismissed concerns over technicalities undermining the majority’s voice, stating, “Ghanaians are overwhelmingly in favour of it, so we don’t want the use of any technical words to demean what Ghanaians want.”
During a meeting with the Bishops on January 14, President Mahama suggested that a government-sponsored version of the bill might garner broader support and ensure smoother passage compared to the existing Private Member’s Bill. He emphasized the importance of building a national consensus and incorporating moral and cultural education reflecting Ghanaian and African values into school curriculums to strengthen cultural identity.
Despite the president’s suggestions, the Bishops reaffirmed their unwavering support for the immediate passage of the bill, urging swift legislative action to enshrine Ghana’s traditional values into law.
Source:Mybrytfmonlline.com/Gumedzo Isaac Acheampong
