By Eric Appah Marfo
Accra, June 6, GNA – The Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) says it will review the latest anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed by Parliament before taking an official position on its contents
It insists that it will not comment on the legislation without first studying the document.
The Reverend Dr Cyril G.K. Fayose, General Secretary of CCG, said the Council was concerned about recent developments surrounding the bill but needed to examine the final version before determining whether the changes made were acceptable.
“We are not too happy that there is this back-and-forth movement. But as of now, we don’t know the full facts. So we want to study the documents,” he said.
“…Parliament has always said that of themselves, that there are a lot of rules and a lot of procedures. So how can that same Parliament come up, pass something, and then turn around and say, well, we have a problem with what has been passed? So there are all kinds of problems with this, which is very concerning to us because it’s a very serious matter to us,” he added.
Rev. Dr Fayose made the remarks on Friday during a question-and-answer session following the launch of the Voice of CCG, a new communication platform of the Christian Council of Ghana designed to communicate the Council’s positions on national issues and increase public engagement with its activities.
The launch coincided with the commemoration of World Environment Day 2026, observed on the theme: “Inspired by Nature for Climate and Our Future.”
The Voice of CCG is expected to serve as a platform for press briefings, panel discussions, interviews, studio productions, and stakeholder engagements through which the Council will articulate its views on key national issues and promote informed public discourse.
The platform will also leverage digital and social media channels to broaden public access to the Council’s advocacy, programmes, and policy positions.
The General Secretary described the situation as concerning, particularly given the significance the Council attaches to issues relating to morality and societal values.
He said the Council was awaiting a copy of the newly passed legislation and would carefully study it before making any public pronouncement.
Rev. Dr Fayose disclosed that legal experts, including Lawyer Moses Foh-Amoaning and others involved in advocacy on the matter, were already examining developments and would brief the Council accordingly.
“What we have not really seen is the document that has been passed. We have not seen it yet. So we are going to try and get that from Parliament and study it against the old ones and see whether the changes that have been made are acceptable to us.”
Mr Samuel Koku Anyidoho, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Mills Institute and Communications Advisor to the Christian Council of Ghana, reiterated the Council’s concerns and highlighted the need for a measured and informed response.
He disclosed that he had visited Parliament the previous day on behalf of the Council and engaged stakeholders on the matter.
According to him, the Council would not make pronouncements without first obtaining and reviewing the official document.
“We cannot speak in a vacuum. And we have been advised legally,” he said.
Mr Anyidoho said the Council would formally write to the Clerk to Parliament to request a copy of the bill.
“And so the Christian Council will do the right and proper thing—write officially to the Clerk of Parliament for a copy of the bill that has been passed,” he said.
He noted that the Council was not interested in the political disagreements surrounding the legislation but was focused on acting in what it considered the national interest.
“The Christian Council is not part of the to-ing and fro-ing that is taking place in Parliament. We leave that for the parliamentarians to do,” he said.
“But the Christian Council will do what it’s supposed to do in the interest of God and country,” he added.
The anti-LGBTQ+ bill, formally known as the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, was first introduced in Parliament in 2021 as a Private Members’ Bill and sought to prohibit LGBTQ+ activities, advocacy, and promotion while reinforcing what its proponents describe as Ghanaian family and cultural values.
The Bill generated extensive national and international debate, attracting support from many religious and traditional groups while drawing criticism from human rights advocates and some development partners.
Following the expiration of the previous Parliament, the legislation was reintroduced in the Ninth Parliament. Parliament has since passed a new version of the bill, although some stakeholders, including the Christian Council of Ghana, say they are yet to obtain and study the final document to determine whether any amendments or changes have been made to its provisions.
The passage of the bill has reignited public discussion, with religious groups, civil society organisations, legal experts, and policymakers closely examining its contents and potential implications.
GNA
Reporter: Eric Appah Marfo
[email protected]
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong