President John Dramani Mahama has made a definitive statement on the pending anti-LGBTQ bill legislation, declaring that he will assent to the bill if it is passed by Parliament.
According to John Mahama, a person’s gender is determined at birth, adding that the family is the foundation of our nation.
He added that there is no question what Ghanaians believe in.
Speaking to leaders of the Christian Council of Ghana in Accra on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, President Mahama stated, “We agree with the Speaker to relay the bill and let Parliament debate it, and then if there are any amendments or whatever that have to be done. If the Parliament of the people of Ghana endorses the bill, votes on it, and passes it, and it comes to me as President, I will sign it”.
“A person’s gender is determined at birth, and the family is the foundation of our nation. That is our position. So, there are no questions or equivocations about what we believe,” President Mahama noted.
He added, “We agree with the Speaker to relay the bill and let Parliament debate it, and then if there are any amendments or whatever that have to be done”.
Also, Speaker Bagbin, on the floor of Parliament, explained that the bill, which was first introduced during the Eighth Parliament, had to be reintroduced in the Ninth Parliament.
He detailed that parliamentary procedures do not allow for the automatic transfer of unpassed legislation between sessions.
Speaker Bagbin highlighted that the legislative process encountered some setbacks with the former president’s refusal to assent to the bill, and also debates over whether the current administration should adopt it as a government-sponsored bill.
However, the Speaker explained that both the Majority and Minority sides have shown strong bipartisan support.
He further indicated that President Mahama is willing to give assent once it is passed.
Alban Bagbin stated, “We understand the expectations and the passion surrounding this bill”.
“What we are doing is to ensure that when it is passed, it will stand the test of time and be implemented effectively.”
Meanwhile, the Anti-LBGTQ bill under the former Akufo-Addo government faced several lawsuits filed against the bill, leading to a delay in its signing.
Eventually, the bill, which became a burden for the previous government, remained just a bill and was not passed into law before Akufo-Addo left power.
The bill sought to criminalise Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBTQ+) activities in Ghana, was passed by the 8th Parliament, but remained unsigned before the 8th Parliament was dissolved.
Furthermore, conversations and discussions about the controversial anti-LBGTQ bill have resurfaced under the John Mahama government.
Watch the video below:
"If the Parliament of the people of Ghana endorses the bill and passes it to me as president, I will sign it."
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) November 18, 2025
-President Mahama assures Christian council of his commitment to sign the LGBT bill. pic.twitter.com/VuzaIEOfXy