Ghana bishops ask president to enact family values ​​law

Ghana’s bishops called on the country’s new president, John Dramani Mahama, to enact the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values ​​Act, known in some quarters as the “anti-LGBTQ+ law”, during a meeting on Tuesday.

A delegation of prelates, led by Bishop Matthew Gyamfi, head of Sunyani and president of the Episcopate, congratulated Mahama on his victory in the recent general elections. During the meeting, the bishops took the opportunity to address the issue of pending legislation.

The project proposes prison sentences of up to three years for those found guilty of identifying as LGBTQ+, and up to five years for those who form, defend or finance LGBTQ+ groups.

Homosexual relations are currently illegal in Ghana, with prison sentences of up to three years. This legislation is framed in a broader context of rejection of homosexual practices in the country.

The Ghanaian Parliament passed the legislation in February 2024but did not come into force as it was not promulgated by former President Nana Akufo-Addo before the end of the parliamentary term. President Mahama explained to the bishops that because of this, “that bill is effectively dead.”

Bishop Gyamfi clearly expressed the position of the Church: “What we want is for it to become law.” The bishops argue that the project is “in the right direction” as it seeks to establish adequate sexual rights, promote family values ​​and protect children.

In December 2023, the Episcopate issued a statement stating that “the State has a duty to fulfill on the issue of homosexuality” and that it would be legitimate to criminalize homosexual acts through punitive measures, although they emphasized that it is not correct to criminalize people for their sexual orientation.

Mahama suggested that the best way forward would be to present the project as a government initiative, which would give it greater legitimacy. He also stressed the importance of education: “If we teach our values ​​in school, we will not need to pass a law to enforce them.”

This situation is especially relevant for the Catholic Church in Africa, considering the recent rejection by African bishops of the Vatican’s Fiducia Supplians declaration, which approved the possibility of blessing “same-sex couples” and couples in other “irregular situations.”

Human rights organizations have expressed concern about this type of legislation, arguing that it could encourage discrimination and violate the fundamental rights of LGBTQ+ people.