The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has cautioned political leaders against downplaying national discussions on family values, warning that moral issues tied to identity and social structure must remain central to Ghana’s development agenda.
In a pastoral and public statement issued on Friday, April 10, the Conference expressed concern over recent remarks by President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, which it said risk diminishing issues many Ghanaians consider fundamental to the country’s moral and cultural fabric.
The bishops were responding to comments attributed to President Mahama at the World Affairs Council, where LGBTQ+ matters were reportedly described as not among the most pressing national priorities. Similar sentiments by Mr. Kwakye Ofosu, who characterised the issue as not a major concern for most Ghanaians, also drew criticism.
While acknowledging the importance of addressing economic challenges, the Conference warned that framing moral concerns as secondary could create the impression that issues of human identity, family life, and social continuity are inconsequential.
The statement stressed that national development cannot be sustained by economic policy alone, arguing that values form the “invisible architecture” underpinning stable societies.
Rejecting what it described as a false choice between economic progress and moral responsibility, the bishops maintained that both must advance together. They cited global evidence linking stable family structures to improved education outcomes, lower crime rates, and stronger economic mobility.
“The family, in quiet ways, is a nation’s most efficient social welfare system,” the statement noted, cautioning that weakening its moral foundation could undermine long-term development.
The Conference reaffirmed its position that family values are rooted in marriage between a man and a woman, oriented toward mutual support and the upbringing of children, while also emphasising the need to uphold the dignity of every individual regardless of sexual orientation or identity.
It condemned violence, hatred, and discrimination, describing such actions as moral failures that must not be tolerated.
On the ongoing legislative process surrounding the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, the bishops urged President Mahama to honour his earlier commitment to assent to the bill if it is duly passed by Parliament in accordance with constitutional procedures.
However, they also called for careful scrutiny of the bill to ensure it aligns with both societal values and the protection of fundamental rights.
The bishops further appealed for a more respectful and inclusive national dialogue, urging stakeholders—including government, Parliament, religious leaders, traditional authorities, and civil society—to engage constructively.
“The tone of our discourse matters as much as its content,” the statement emphasised, warning against language that could deepen divisions.
The Conference concluded by noting that Ghana stands at a critical juncture where economic ambition intersects with moral identity, urging leaders to approach the debate with wisdom, justice, and compassion.
