President John Dramani Mahama has proposed a new approach to the controversial Anti-LGBTQ+ bill, suggesting it should be introduced as a government-sponsored bill instead of a private member’s bill.
Speaking at a meeting with the Catholic Bishops Conference in Accra on January 14, 2025, he explained that government backing would give the bill greater credibility and improve its chances of being passed successfully.
“I don’t know what the promoters of the bill intend to do, but I do think that we should have a conversation on it again so that all of us, if we decide to move that bill forward, move it forward with a consensus and probably it shouldn’t be a private member’s bill.
It probably should be a government bill with governments behind it after consultation with all the stakeholders to see how we’re able to move this forward,” he said.
He noted that presenting the bill as a government initiative would demonstrate wider institutional support and promote a more unified stance on the issue. The Anti-LGBTQ+ bill has sparked mixed reactions both locally and internationally, making this suggested shift in strategy significant for the ongoing national debate.