President John Dramani Mahama has called on international partners to respect Ghana’s position on LGBTQ issues, insisting that the country’s public policy direction must be shaped by its Constitution, cultural values and the collective will of its people.
Speaking while receiving the International Statesperson Award from the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, the President said Ghana’s approach to the issue is being handled through established democratic institutions and legal processes.
The Mahama LGBTQ stance comes at a time of renewed international scrutiny over the proposed anti-LGBTQ legislation currently before Parliament.
Bill is before Parliament
President Mahama clarified that the bill under discussion is not a government-sponsored measure, but rather a private member’s bill, and therefore subject to the full processes of parliamentary debate and public consultation.
“What the eventual nature of the bill would be, nobody can second-guess Parliament, and I, as President, cannot anticipate Parliament in respect of that bill.” - John Dramani Mahama
He noted that memoranda are being received from a broad range of stakeholders, including civil society groups, as part of efforts to ensure that the final outcome reflects national sentiment.
“Civil Society Organisations are presenting their papers to Parliament and I believe that the representatives of the people will make the will of Ghanaians reflect in whatever eventually comes out.” - John Dramani Mahama
Confidence in democratic institutions
The President stressed that Ghana’s democratic institutions remain strong enough to manage difficult and sensitive public debates without external interference.
He said the country’s political culture of tolerance and its commitment to due process continue to provide stability and legitimacy to decision-making. “That level of tolerance in the political atmosphere is what has given Ghana the advantage it has,” he stated.
He also expressed confidence in the judiciary, describing it as a key pillar of fairness and constitutional balance. “We have a relatively independent judiciary that we have confidence will adjudicate matters fairly,” he added.
Remarks follow Lincoln University controversy
Mahama’s comments come days after Lincoln University in the United States withdrew plans to confer an honorary degree on him, following concerns raised by some members of the university community over his perceived stance on LGBTQ issues.
His latest remarks appear aimed at drawing a clear line between international opinion and Ghana’s domestic democratic process, while reinforcing the message that decisions on such matters must ultimately be made by Ghanaians through their institutions.
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