President John Dramani Mahama has called for broader stakeholder consultations on social policies, emphasizing that discussions on Ghana's cultural values should be inclusive rather than dictated by external influences.
In an interview with Bloomberg's Next Africa, Mahama stressed the need for open dialogue on issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, stating that policy decisions should reflect the perspectives of all relevant stakeholders, including 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 asserted.
His comments come at a time when Ghana has been engaged in heated debates over legislation concerning LGBTQ+ rights, with international financial institutions like the World Bank and the IMF reportedly linking funding decisions to the country's stance on such issues.
Mahama maintained that while Ghana remains open to international cooperation, its social policies should be shaped through internal consensus rather than external pressure. "Multilateral institutions should avoid getting into cultural matters," he remarked. "This is a diverse world.
