Reverend Father Clement Kwasi Adjei, the Secretary-General of the Catholic Bishops Conference, has expressed the Conference’s intention to hold discussions with President Akufo-Addo regarding his recent directive concerning the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.

The Office of the President, through its Secretary, Nana Bediatuo Asante, sent a letter to Parliament on Monday, March 18, cautioning against transmitting the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, also known as the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, for the President’s assent. This directive was issued in light of ongoing legal proceedings in the Supreme Court, with two applications for an order of interlocutory injunction pending.

Reverend Father Adjei conveyed the Conference’s dissatisfaction with the President’s directive, stating their intention to seek clarification on the motivations behind it through a scheduled meeting with President Akufo-Addo.

During an interview on JoyFM’s Top Story on March 22, Reverend Father Adjei emphasized the Conference’s discontent, highlighting their commitment to engaging directly with the President to comprehend his decision-making process. He stressed the importance of dialogue and consensus-building for the advancement of the nation, emphasizing that Ghana belongs to all its citizens, irrespective of political affiliations.

Reverend Father Adjei argued that the President’s decision to halt the transmission of the bill was premature. He suggested that the bill should have been transmitted to the President, allowing him the opportunity to decide whether to assent to it or not. Additionally, if the President chose not to assent, he should have provided reasons for his decision rather than issuing a directive through his secretary to halt the transmission entirely.

The Catholic Bishops Conference remains committed to engaging in constructive dialogue with the President to address concerns surrounding the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill and ensure that the decision-making process aligns with the principles of transparency and accountability.