The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has called on Parliament to act with urgency and adhere to constitutional requirements in reconsidering the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025. This legislation, known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, was returned to Parliament after the House rescinded its earlier passage on November 10, 2026. The Bishops described this decision as an opportunity to address concerns and examine the bill's moral, social, cultural, and human rights implications.
The parliamentary decision to rescind the bill's passage followed a review by the Legislation Drafting Department. The review identified inconsistencies between the decisions taken by Members of Parliament during deliberations and provisions in the final version of the bill. Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin announced the decision after the House voted to reverse its earlier resolution on the legislation, which was adopted on May 29, 2026.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference reaffirmed the Catholic Church's position on human life, marriage, family, and sexuality. They reiterated the Church's commitment to the sanctity of human life, the dignity of every person, and the authentic understanding of marriage, family, and human sexuality. This statement was made in a communiqué issued at the end of their annual Plenary Assembly.
The annual Plenary Assembly was held from November 3 to 14, 2026, at the Divine Providence Pastoral Centre in Jamasi, within the Konongo-Mampong Diocese of the Ashanti Region. The Assembly was held under the theme, "Communion, Participation and Mission: Preparing the Catholic Church in Ghana for Her 150th Anniversary in 2030." The Bishops encouraged Parliament and relevant constitutional institutions to approach the bill with speed, constitutional fidelity, and legislative diligence.
The Bishops' statement emphasized the need for careful consideration of the bill's implications. They noted that Parliament's decision to rescind its earlier passage provides an opportunity to address concerns and examine the bill's moral, social, cultural, and human rights implications. The Catholic Church's position on human life, marriage, family, and sexuality was reaffirmed in the communiqué.
The review by Parliament's Legislation Drafting Department identified inconsistencies between the decisions taken by Members of Parliament during deliberations and provisions contained in the final version of the bill. This review led to the decision to rescind the bill's passage and return it to Parliament for further consideration. The Speaker of Parliament announced the decision after the House voted to reverse its earlier resolution on the legislation.
The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference continues to play an active role in the country's discussions on human rights and family values. Their statement on the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill highlights the importance of careful consideration and adherence to constitutional requirements in the legislative process. The Conference's annual Plenary Assembly provided a platform for the Bishops to discuss and address key issues affecting the Catholic Church and society in Ghana.
Key points
- The Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference has called for urgency in the reconsideration of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
