Anti-LGBTQI Bill will be reintroduced in 9th Parliament – Sam George

Minister Designate for Communications, and Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George has told the Appointments Committee of Parliament that the Anti-LGBTQI bill will be reintroduced in Parliament.
He says if the bill has to be reintroduced by him again, he would do that.
Answering questions from Damnongo lawmaker Samuel Abu Jinapor during proceedings on Thursday, January 30, he stated categorically that the bill forms an important aspect of the national life of Ghanaians.
“The bill will be reintroduced in the 9th parliament,” he told the committee.
Recently, President John Dramani Mahama suggested that the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill would have a higher chance of success and broader legitimacy if it were a government-sponsored initiative.
Speaking during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops Conference, Mr Mahama emphasised that Ghana’s cultural and moral values could be better preserved through a curriculum that instils 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 signal 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 been one of the most contentious issues in Ghanaian politics.
It seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ activities and advocacy in the country.
Proponents argue that the bill 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 criticised 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.