President John Dramani Mahama has said he will assent to the anti-LGBTQ+ bill once Parliament debates, approves and forwards it to his office for signature.
According to him, they have agreed with the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to re-lay the bill to allow lawmakers to thoroughly consider it and make any necessary changes.
During a courtesy call on him by the Christian Council of Ghana on November 18, the President said the legislative process must be allowed to run its full course.
“We agreed with the Speaker to re-lay the bill and let Parliament debate it, if there are any amendments that have to be done.”
He noted that his role as President is to act on the decision of the elected representatives of the people.
“If the Parliament and the people of Ghana endorse the bill, and vote on it and pass it and it comes to me as president, I will sign it.”
His comments come at a time when strong public pressure has mounted on government to clarify its position on the bill.
There is also a growing sentiment mainly from members of the opposition, that the current administration and President Mahama were vocal supporters of the bill while in opposition and used it to galvanise political support, only for the process to slow down after they assumed office.
The bill was passed by the previous Parliament in February 2024 but lapsed as it was not signed into law by then President Nana Akufo-Addo before the dissolution of Parliament.
It has since been reintroduced as a private member’s bill in the new Parliament and is awaiting the full legislative process.
