“LGBTQ Bill Not Law Yet” — John Dramani Mahama Flags Quorum Breach
President John Dramani Mahama has indicated that the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill is far from becoming law, stressing that due process, legal scrutiny and procedural clarity will ultimately determine its fate.
In an interview addressing growing local and international interest in the bill, President Mahama acknowledged the intense debate it has generated, describing it as one of the most widely discussed legislative proposals in Ghana in recent times.
“The bill has probably evoked the most interest in Ghana. It shows how important issues of family values are,” he noted.
However, the president revealed that concerns have already emerged regarding the manner in which the bill was passed in Parliament. Key among them, he said, are questions about whether there was quorum at the time of passage and reports of procedural lapses.
“These are issues that have come up,” he stated, adding that he had been briefed about efforts by the Speaker of Parliament to address the concerns.
Despite the passage of the bill, President Mahama made it clear that it must still undergo a rigorous constitutional and legal review process before any decision on assent can be taken.
He explained that as a private member’s bill, not a government-sponsored one, it would require detailed examination by legal experts within the presidency, including the Attorney-General and legal counsel.
“Once the president gets it, you go through it… the legal counsel and the attorney general will sit on it and make sure everything is in order before the president is advised to assent,” he explained.
The President also outlined additional constitutional safeguards available to him, including the option to refer the bill to the Council of State for further advice if significant concerns are identified.
Should substantive issues arise, he said, the bill could be returned to Parliament with clear recommendations for revision.
“If there are issues… the president would return the bill to Parliament indicating exactly what the issues are,” he stated.
President Mahama’s comments suggest a cautious and methodical approach to the controversial legislation, signalling that its final outcome will depend not just on parliamentary approval but also on legal soundness and constitutional compliance.
“There’s still quite a while to go before that bill becomes law,” he concluded, underscoring that the process is far from complete.
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