President John Mahama has declared that he will sign the controversial anti-LGBTQ bill into law if it is passed by Parliament and forwarded to his office. The statement was made on Tuesday, November 18, at Jubilee House, during a courtesy visit by the Christian Council of Ghana.
Mahama emphasized alignment with the Council’s beliefs and said any necessary amendments would be considered, but if Parliament endorses the bill, he would sign it into law.
This comes after Speaker Alban Bagbin clarified on October 28 that the bill, which expired at the end of the 8th Parliament, must be reintroduced in the current Parliament. The clarification followed a debate where Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga argued that the bill had already been passed. Bagbin disagreed, noting that all pending business from the dissolved 8th Parliament had ended and must be reintroduced.
The legislation has now returned as a private member’s bill, reintroduced by Ningo-Prampram MP Sam George and several colleagues, rather than the executive. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Sam George said he was fulfilling his commitment to his constituents by reintroducing the bill, despite the President’s preference for government sponsorship of the legislation.
