The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has cautioned political leaders against trivialising national discussions on family values, warning that moral and identity-related issues remain central to Ghana’s development.
In a pastoral and public statement issued on Friday, April 10, the bishops expressed concern over recent remarks by President John Dramani Mahama and Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu, suggesting their comments risk diminishing matters many Ghanaians consider fundamental to the nation’s cultural and moral fabric.
The Conference was responding to statements attributed to President Mahama during an engagement at the World Affairs Council, where LGBTQ+ issues were reportedly described as not among the country’s most pressing priorities. In a subsequent commentary, Mr Kwakye Ofosu reportedly characterised the issue as a minor concern for most citizens, describing the debate as a “waste of time.”
While acknowledging the urgency of Ghana’s economic challenges, the bishops warned that framing moral concerns as secondary could send the wrong signal about their importance. They stressed that questions surrounding human identity, family life and social continuity form what they termed the “invisible architecture” of a stable society.
Rejecting what they described as a false choice between economic growth and moral responsibility, the bishops argued that both must progress together. They pointed to global evidence suggesting that strong family structures are linked to better educational outcomes, lower crime rates and improved 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 national development.
The Conference reaffirmed its position that family values are rooted in marriage between a man and a woman, centred on mutual support and the upbringing of children. It described the family as the primary institution for shaping character and civic responsibility.
At the same time, the bishops emphasised the need to uphold the dignity of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or identity. They condemned violence, hatred and unjust discrimination, calling such acts moral failures that must not be tolerated.
On the ongoing debate 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 acknowledged concerns about certain provisions of the bill and called for careful scrutiny to ensure that any final law reflects both the moral convictions of citizens and the constitutional protection of fundamental rights.
The bishops also called for a more respectful and measured national dialogue, warning that dismissive rhetoric could alienate segments of the population for whom the issue carries deep moral significance.
They urged stakeholders—including government, Parliament, religious leaders, traditional authorities and civil society—to engage constructively and with mutual respect.
“The tone of our discourse matters as much as its content,” the statement said, adding that national conversations should foster unity rather than deepen division.
The Conference concluded by noting that Ghana stands at a critical juncture where economic ambition intersects with moral definition, urging leaders to act with wisdom, justice and compassion in shaping the country’s future.
Story By: Eric Boateng
