Dangerous signal - Bishop Gyamfi warns Mahama is not taking LGBTQ bill seriously

Matthew K. Gyamfi, president of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, criticised President John Mahama for remarks suggesting that the LGBTQ bill is not a priority. Bishop Gyamfi warned that the stance sends a troubling signal. Speaking on PM Express on Joy News Tuesday, Bishop Gyamfi said that while other national concerns are valid, they should not sideline the bill currently before Parliament.

The presidency recently indicated that the LGBTQ issue is not a priority amid pressing economic and social challenges, including rising living costs and pressure on the healthcare system. Bishop Gyamfi insisted the argument does not hold, stating, "He's not wrong in pursuing his matters, because Ghanaians need jobs. They need help. They need other things. So these are important, and they should be a priority for the President." He stressed that addressing economic issues should not come at the expense of what he described as critical moral and legislative concerns. He questioned the basis for deprioritising the bill, stating, "We do not see how pursuing jobs, creating health and other things, how passing family values law will negatively affect, adversely, passing this law." Bishop Gyamfi described the President's position as deeply concerning, saying, "So for him to say it is not a priority for us is a very dangerous statement."

Bishop Gyamfi warned that the President's remark signals a lack of commitment from the highest office. He stated, "What makes it dangerous is he's telling us indirectly that for him, this bill that Ghanaians, represented by a group of people, have placed before Parliament is not something that he's considering seriously." He concluded with a stark assessment of the President's posture on the matter: "The law is not important to him." His comments are likely to intensify debate over the controversial bill, as religious groups, lawmakers, and the presidency continue to clash over its