The Christian Council of Ghana has backed President John Dramani Mahama’s move to have the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely called the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, reviewed further before any final decision is taken.
While visiting the United Kingdom recently, President John Dramani Mahama said the bill would face additional examination to make sure it complies with all constitutional standards before he decides whether to sign it.
Responding to the President’s comments in a chat with Citi News, the Coordinator for Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations at the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Jehodia Godwin Amuzu, called the step proper and in line with the President’s constitutional duty.
He said the President, representing the state, is entitled to seek input from legal and constitutional advisors to confirm the bill can survive court 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. 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 said.
Rev. Amuzu also noted that President Dramani Mahama had earlier told religious leaders he would approve the bill once it was sent to him.
“After all, in one of our encounters with him, he indicated that when the bill is brought to him, he will assent to it. What it means is that from the narrative, the impression we are getting at the Christian Council is that because it’s not a state-sponsored bill, they will scrutinise it to be sure that the bill is fit for purpose,” he explained.
Rev. Amuzu welcomed the recent appeal by Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford, asking lawmakers to re-examine the bill, calling such dialogue a healthy part of democratic rule.
“I think it’s healthy for democracy. We are not in an authoritarian regime. So, once we embrace democracy, we have to embrace other techniques of democracy. I think it’s good for democracy that we all act as citizens of our dear country and take keen interest in whatever goes on within the government’s space. But to extend that, Parliament, even though they are masters of their own rules, once there are checks and balances, once citizens are actively involved, whatever goes on in parliament, we can check on them. So, we have a vibrant position.”The remarks come as public discussion intensifies over the future of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill and the roles of the executive and Parliament in deciding its outcome.
