Mahama ready to sign anti-LGBTQ+ bill once passed – Dafeamekpor

President John Dramani Mahama is fully prepared to assent to the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill immediately after Parliament passes it, Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has said.

Speaking in an interview on Accra-based Joy FM, Dafeamekpor stressed that the President has no reservations about the legislation and stands ready to give it swift approval once it completes the legislative process.

“The person who will sign says, ‘My pen is ready. The ink is dripping’. If you bring it today, I’ll sign it in the next minute,” he said, underscoring what he described as the President’s unwavering commitment.

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill — one of the most polarising pieces of legislation in recent years — seeks to regulate matters related to sexual orientation, gender identity, family values and advocacy activities tied to LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana.

Backers of the bill, including several religious bodies, traditional authorities and conservative civil society groups, argue that it is necessary to safeguard Ghana’s cultural norms, moral values and the traditional family structure. They maintain that the legislation reflects the beliefs of the majority of Ghanaians.

However, the proposed law has drawn strong opposition from human rights organisations, legal scholars and sections of the international community, who warn that some of its provisions could violate constitutional protections and Ghana’s obligations under international human rights treaties.

Critics contend that the bill risks criminalising individuals based on identity and restricting freedoms of expression, association and advocacy.

Despite the backlash, Dafeamekpor said the ruling majority in Parliament remains determined to push the bill through, insisting lawmakers are acting in line with public sentiment.

“We want to assure the nation and all the faith-based institutions and religious bodies that this bill, we will pass it just like a year ago. Before we even kickstart that project, the president is in readiness to sign,” he said.