Catholic Bishops Urge President Akufo-Addo to Assent to Anti-Gay Bill  

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to swiftly assent to the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, popularly known as the Anti-Gay Bill. The Bishops criticized the President for delaying action, dismissing his reasons for the delay as unfounded.

This appeal was made during the Annual Plenary Assembly of the Bishops’ Conference, held from November 8 to 16, 2024, at the Pope John Paul II Formation and Training Centre in Ofoase Kokoben, Diocese of Obuasi, in the Ashanti Region.

In a statement issued at the event, the Bishops emphasized that the bill aligns with the moral convictions of most Ghanaians. “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,” the statement read.

They further stressed that their support for the bill is not discriminatory but aimed at safeguarding the moral and cultural fabric of Ghanaian society. “This is not a call for discrimination but for the preservation of our moral fabric and the protection of traditional marriage and family as the foundation of our society,” the statement continued.

The Bishops reiterated their commitment to upholding traditional family values 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 added.

The Anti-Gay Bill, passed by Parliament on February 28, 2024, has sparked nationwide debate. Proponents argue that it is necessary to protect traditional family values, while critics claim it infringes on fundamental human rights.

The bill’s progress has been stalled by legal challenges. A Supreme Court ruling on July 17, 2024, delayed judgments on related cases until all legal issues surrounding the bill’s constitutionality are resolved. As a result, President Akufo-Addo has withheld assent, pending the court’s decisions.

The Bishops’ latest call adds to the growing pressure on the President to take definitive action on the controversial bill.