Ningo Prampram lawmaker Samuel Nartey Goegre has confirmed that he has not changed his stance on the anti-LGBTQI Bill. He mentioned that he has resubmitted the Private Member’s Bill to Parliament and is now waiting for the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to invite him. He reiterated that he believes the LGBTIQI community is an abomination and should not be accepted in Ghana.
“I have laid the Private Member’s Bill before Parliament,” stated Goegre in an interview with TV3 on Friday, April 11. He emphasized, “I have not changed my position.” Earlier, fellow MP Sam George informed the Appointments Committee of Parliament that the Anti-LGBTQI Bill would be reintroduced in Parliament.
He stated that if the bill needs to be reintroduced, he will do so. During proceedings on Thursday, January 30, he responded to questions from Damongo lawmaker Samuel Abu Jinapor and emphasized that the bill is a significant aspect of Ghanaian national life. “The bill will be reintroduced in the 9th Parliament,” he declared to the committee. Recently, President John Dramani Mahama suggested that the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill would have a greater chance of success and wider legitimacy if it were sponsored by the government. During a meeting with the Catholic Bishops Conference, Mr. Mahama stressed that Ghana’s cultural and moral values could be better preserved through an educational curriculum that promotes family values.
“For the bill to have broader legitimacy and a higher chance of success, it should ideally come with government backing,” Mahama said. However, he clarified that a legislative approach may not be his administration’s priority. We won’t need a bill to enforce our family values,” Mahama said. “And that’s why I think more than even the Family Values Bill, it’s us agreeing on a curriculum that inculcates these values into our children as they’re growing up so that we don’t need to legislate it“, he continued. His comments suggest that his government may be open to a more measured approach to LGBTQ+ issues, rather than pushing for harsh criminal penalties.
This also signals a departure from the hardline stance taken by some members of his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who have called for the swift passage of the bill in its current form. The anti-LGBTQ+ bill, officially titled the “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill,” has become one of the most contentious issues in Ghanaian politics. The bill seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities and advocacy in the country. Proponents argue that it aligns with Ghanaian cultural and religious values, while opponents claim it infringes on fundamental human rights.
Political implications
In 2024, the former Nana Addo-led administration failed to sign the bill into law despite its passage in Parliament. Mahama’s stance on the LGBTQ+ bill could have significant political implications. While it may alienate some conservative groups, it positions his administration as more progressive and internationally aligned. His emphasis on education and dialogue over punishment reflects a measured approach to addressing societal concerns without undermining human rights.
During the campaign period leading up to the 2024 elections, Mahama and the NDC cr iticised the previous administration for its failure to sign the bill. The NDC called this a reluctance on the part of the then-President and used it as a major campaign issue during the 2024 elections. However, President Mahama’s current position suggests a shift from campaign rhetoric to a more pragmatic governance approach.
By: Laud Nartey
