The Christian Council of Ghana has thrown its support behind President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to subject the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely referred to as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, to further constitutional review before taking any final action.
The President recently indicated during a visit to the United Kingdom that the controversial legislation would undergo additional scrutiny to ensure it complies with all constitutional requirements before a decision is made regarding presidential assent.
His comments have sparked renewed public debate over the future of the bill, which remains one of the most contentious pieces of legislation in Ghana’s recent history.
Speaking in an interview, the Christian Council’s Coordinator for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations, Rev. Jehodia Godwin Amuzu, described the President’s approach as both prudent and constitutionally appropriate.
According to Rev. Amuzu, the President has a responsibility to consult legal and constitutional experts before endorsing any legislation to ensure it can withstand potential judicial challenges.
“Now, the state being represented by the president, he also has to give the bill to his advisors for them to go through to be sure that the bill satisfies every constitutional requirement. Otherwise, anybody who goes to court can cause the bill to be struck out,” he said.
He urged the public to allow the constitutional process to take its course, adding that democratic governance requires adherence to legal procedures rather than rushed decisions.
“So, I think we should be patient. That is the course of democracy. Nobody can just give a fiat when the law does not permit that. So, let’s give the president the benefit of the doubt,” he added.
Council Recalls Mahama’s Earlier Position
Rev. Amuzu noted that President Mahama had previously assured religious leaders that he would assent to the bill if it was eventually presented to him in accordance with constitutional requirements.
“After all, in one of our encounters with him, he indicated that when the bill is brought to him, he will assent to it,” he stated.
He suggested that the current review process may be linked to the fact that the legislation is a private member’s bill rather than a government-sponsored initiative, making additional legal scrutiny necessary before it can be signed into law.
The Christian Council also welcomed recent calls by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, for lawmakers to revisit aspects of the legislative process surrounding the bill.
Rev. Amuzu described continued consultations and public engagement as healthy features of a democratic system, stressing that citizens have a legitimate interest in parliamentary proceedings and governance decisions.
“I think it’s healthy for democracy. We are not in an authoritarian regime,” he said, emphasizing the importance of checks and balances in safeguarding the integrity of the legislative process.
As discussions continue, attention remains focused on the next steps regarding the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill and the roles of Parliament and the Presidency in determining its eventual fate.
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