Bernard Anim Piesie Confident Mahama Will Sign Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill | Discuss Ghana

On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, political commentator Bernard Anim Piesie declared his absolute certainty that President John Dramani Mahama will assent to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill once it reaches his desk.

Speaking during a discussion on the bill's recent reintroduction in Parliament, Anim Piesie dismissed concerns that the President might bow to international pressure, stating he would "put his life on the line" regarding Mahama's commitment to the legislation.

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President Mahama's Official Stance

The President's position on the bill has been a central theme of his "National Reset" agenda since returning to office in January 2025:

Consistent Support: President Mahama has repeatedly told religious leaders and the public that he supports "traditional family values" and sees marriage strictly as a union between a man and a woman.

Rejection of Foreign Pressure: While acknowledging international concerns, the President has maintained that Ghana's sovereignty and cultural identity must be respected in the legislative process.

Procedural Reintroduction: Because the previous version of the bill expired with the dissolution of the 8th Parliament, it was formally reintroduced in February 2026 to undergo the full legislative process again.

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Current Status of the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

The legislation is currently moving through the following stages in the 9th Parliament:

Reintroduction (Feb 2026): A group of bipartisan MPs reintroduced the bill as a private member's motion.

Committee Review: The Bill is currently before the Committee on Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs for public hearings and deliberation.

Expected Timeline: Supporters in Parliament, led by Speaker Alban Bagbin, are pushing for a third reading by May 2026.

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Key Penalties in the 2026 Reintroduced Bill

Offense	Proposed Penalty
Identifying as LGBTQ+	Up to 3 years in prison.
Same-sex intercourse	Up to 3 years in prison.
Promoting LGBTQ+ activities	6 to 10 years in prison.
Same-sex marriage	6 to 10 years in prison.

“I can put my life on the line that President Mahama will assent to the anti-LGBTQ bill if it gets to him. He is a man of his word and shares our national values.” — Bernard Anim Piesie.