President John Dramani Mahama has stated unequivocally that he would give his assent to the controversial “Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values” Bill — commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill — if it is passed by Parliament in its current form.
Speaking at a meeting with the Christian Council of Ghana on November 18, 2025, Mahama said he is aligned with conservative Christian values regarding sexuality.
“I believe that we have no questions … about what we believe. I believe that we are completely aligned with the Christian Council … if the people’s representatives in Parliament endorse the bill, vote on it, and pass it, and it comes to me … I will sign it,” he declared.
He added that “And if there are any amendments or adjustments that need to be made, if the people’s representatives in Parliament endorse the bill, vote on it, and pass it, and it comes to me as president, I will sign it.”
His remarks come after a ruling by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin on October 28, 2025, which clarified that the anti-LBGTQ bill expired with the dissolution of the 8th Parliament and must therefore be reintroduced.
Following the Speaker’s declaration, ten lawmakers—including Ningo-Prampram MP Sam George and Assin South MP Rev. John Ntim Fordjour—have reintroduced it to the House as a private members’ bill.
Earlier, the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values had called on Parliament and President John Mahama to pass and assent to the anti-gay bill promptly without further delay.
Moses Foh-Amoaning, the Executive Secretary of the Coalition, said the bill, which for years reflected the moral conscience and cultural identity of the nation, had remained stalled.
He said Parliament appeared hesitant on the next steps, while the President, who assured Ghanaians that he would sign the Bill upon assuming office, had remained silent at this critical juncture.
“The Coalition is deeply concerned that such silence and inaction risk is undermining the will of the people,” he added.
For Ghanaians to maintain confidence in their political leaders, he said, the government must treat the matter with utmost seriousness, especially since it was a central theme in the recent political campaign.
During the 2024 campaign and in interviews, Mahama emphasised that whether he would sign the anti-LGBTQ bill depends on its content. “It depends on what is in it,” he said.
After taking office, Mahama argued the anti-LGBTQ bill should be reintroduced as a government‑sponsored bill, not as a private member’s bill. He said this would allow for broader consultation and ownership.
In a meeting with Catholic Bishops, Mahama suggested that Ghana may not even need the bill to enforce “family values.”
He proposed that values could be taught through the educational curriculum, reducing the need for legislating morality.
