President Mahama Defends Ghana’s Cultural Stance on LGBTQ Issues | Discuss Ghana

President John Dramani Mahama has delivered a firm message to the international community regarding Ghana’s legislative and cultural position on LGBTQ+ issues.

Speaking at the Temple Performing Arts Center, the President emphasized that while Ghana remains a committed partner in global cooperation, its public policies must reflect the "societal consensus" and "cultural values" of its people.

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The Context: The Lincoln University Controversy

The President’s remarks follow a significant diplomatic friction: Lincoln University cancelled a scheduled ceremony to confer an honorary doctorate on him on March 26.

The Snub: The university reportedly withdrew the honor just days before the event following pressure from groups concerned about Mahama’s stated support for Ghana’s Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill (the "Anti-LGBTQ Bill").

Mahama’s Response: Strikes a conciliatory yet firm tone. He described Lincoln as "hallowed ground" for its role in nurturing Kwame Nkrumah, but noted that "disagreements" on policy should not diminish the historic ties between the institution and Ghana.

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Mahama’s Core Arguments

President Mahama outlined three pillars for his government's stance:

Cultural Sovereignty: He called on international partners—including multilateral institutions like the IMF and World Bank—to avoid "cultural imposition." He argued that the world is diverse and that national laws should be rooted in local traditions.

Definition of Marriage: Reaffirming a statement he made to the Christian Council in late 2025, Mahama stated, "The position of my government is that marriage is between a man and a woman. That is our position, and there are no equivocations about what we believe".

Legislative Process: He confirmed his willingness to sign the Bill into law if it is passed by Parliament, noting that the previous version had expired and is currently being reintroduced through the proper constitutional channels.

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Status of the "Anti-LGBTQ" Bill (March 2026)

The bill has seen a complex journey through the 9th Parliament:

Event	Status / Detail
Current Status	Reintroduced in Feb 2026 as a private member's bill.
Proposed Penalties	Up to 3 years for identifying as LGBTQ; 6-10 years for "promoting" activities.
Mahama’s Stance	Supports the principle but prefers it as a Government Bill to ensure legal rigor.
Human Rights Pushback	Rights groups and the CHRAJ warn it infringes on fundamental constitutional rights.

"Multilateral institutions should avoid getting into cultural matters... I don't think they should include cultural imposition as part of their mandate." — President John Dramani Mahama.