President John Dramani Mahama has given his word that should Parliament pass the controversial Family Values Bill, he will sign it into law.

President Mahama made the pledge when he addressed the Christian Council of Ghana during a courtesy call at the Presidency.

He welcomed Speaker Alban Bagbin’s decision to relay the bill in the 9th Parliament, explaining that the Eighth Parliament failed to submit the bill for presidential assent because of an injunction.

President Mahama reaffirmed his administration’s position that marriage was between a man and a woman.

He emphasised that gender was determined at birth, and that the family remained the foundation of society. 

The Family Values Bill, nicknamed the anti-gay bill, seeks to criminalise LGBTQIA+ lifestyles and practices, its premise being that these were against Ghanaian culture.