The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has filed a paper outlining its stance on the Ghanaian Family Values and Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights Bill—also referred to as the anti-LGBTQI+ bill—with the Committee on Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs of Parliament.

In the paper, the GCBC reaffirmed its support for the goal of the bill, which is to uphold proper sexual human rights and safeguard the institution of the family in Ghana.

According to the Conference, the bill is in line with both the moral precepts of the Catholic Church and the values upheld by a sizable segment of Ghanaian society.

“We, the Catholic Bishops of Ghana, write in support of the draft Bill presented to Parliament to make homosexual practices illegal in Ghana. Our voice needs to be heard on this matter not only because, in our view, it is morally unacceptable but also because, according to the 2010 population census, the Catholic Church in Ghana constitutes a sizable percentage of the population, i.e., about 13.1 percent of the population of Ghana.”

The GCBC stressed that the bill should not violate the fundamental rights of LGBTQI+ people while maintaining the Church’s opposition to homosexual activities.

In its paper, the Conference urged kindness and respect for all people, irrespective of their sexual orientation.

“The Church believes that it is wrong to harass homosexuals in any way just because they identify as gay.”

“The intrinsic dignity of each person must always be respected in word, in action and in law. Homosexuals must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. According to Pope Francis, the homosexual person needs to be “respected in his or her dignity and treated with consideration, and ‘every sign of unjust discrimination’ is to be carefully avoided, particularly any form of aggression or violence” (Amoris Laetitia 250). Families with LGBT members need “respectful pastoral guidance” from the church and its pastors so that gays and lesbians can fully carry out God’s will in their lives (Amoris Laetitia 250).”

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference’s paper follows Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson’s BBC interview in which he declared that improving people’s understanding of homosexuality should be the priority rather than making it a crime.

The anti-LGBT bill, also known as the Promotion of Proper Sexual Human Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, is presently being considered by Parliament.

The Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill seeks to outlaw LGBTQ+ activities, forbid the advocacy and promotion of LGBTQ+ content, and offer safety and assistance to minors and those engaged in LGBTQ+ matters.