President John Dramani Mahama has urged broader stakeholder consultations on social policies, emphasizing that Ghana’s cultural values should be shaped by internal consensus rather than external influences.
In an interview with Bloomberg’s Next Africa, Mahama stressed the importance of open discussions on LGBTQ+ rights, noting that policy decisions must reflect the perspectives of religious leaders, traditional authorities, civil society organizations, and the general public.
“What we need is more stakeholder consultation to look at whatever new bill will come and make sure that we carry everybody on board,” he stated.
His remarks come amid heated debates on Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, with concerns that international financial institutions like the World Bank and the IMF may tie funding decisions to the country’s stance on the issue.
Mahama maintained that while Ghana values global partnerships, its social policies should not be dictated by external pressures.
“Multilateral institutions should avoid getting into cultural matters,” he remarked. “This is a diverse world. We have different cultures.”
By advocating for dialogue, Mahama positioned himself as a proponent of inclusive governance. He further suggested that rather than relying solely on legislation, Ghana should reinforce family values through education and community engagement.
“Proper family values are something we all are interested in. But it’s not only in the bills that we send to parliament to regulate them, it’s also about teaching our children those family values as they grow,” he explained.
His stance sets the stage for renewed conversations on balancing Ghana’s cultural identity with human rights discourse.