Ghana's president sends anti-LGBTQ+ bill back for further review before approval
Ghana's President John Mahama said the anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed by parliament must undergo further review before he decides on approval. Mr Mahama said he would hold off pending opinions from the attorney general's office and from the Supreme Court.
BBC AfricaGhana's President John Mahama, in a press statement in Accra on Wednesday, said the 'Family Values Bill' passed at third reading by parliament this week had reached his desk, but it would need 'careful review on both procedure and substance' before signing. The bill had been put before parliament once in 2024 but lapsed without approval within the allotted period.
Mr Mahama said he had requested legal opinions from both the attorney general's office and the Supreme Court, with a constitutional-compliance case already on the court's docket. 'This process needs a binding confirmation that the bill complies with constitutional guarantees,' he said. A government spokesperson added that fresh discussions would take place with the parliamentary committee that introduced the bill on 'technical refinements'.
International reaction has been varied. The US State Department issued a statement saying it was 'closely following Ghana's constitutional process', while the European Union's External Action Service said the bill raised concerns about its human-rights framework. In an interview with local outlet Joy News, the Anglican Bishop Asiel Bonsu Asare-Mensah said the bill was supported on the grounds of 'protecting the family structure'. The Supreme Court is expected to deliver its opinion within three months; approval is held in abeyance during that period.
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