The Keta Presbytery of the Global Evangelical Church (GEC) has urged President Akufo-Addo to ignore any lawsuits and assent to the anti-LGBTQ Bill.

The President’s decision to refrain from signing the anti-LGBTQ Bill into law because of pending court cases, has stirred debate and discontent among religious leaders and groups.

After nearly three years of deliberation, Parliament passed the highly contentious Anti-LGBTQ+ bill.

The bill was approved unanimously on Wednesday, February 28, following the completion of the third reading.

The bill proposes a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of three years prison sentence for offenders.

However, the leadership of the Keta Presbytery of GEC dismissed the President's concerns about the pending lawsuits, urging him to sign the bill into law without further delay.

“We are calling on the President of the Republic to assent to the Anti-LGBTQ Bill passed recently by the Parliament of Ghana into law with immediate effect. The voices of the masses cannot be underestimated all in the name of lawsuits against the bill.

"Ghana is bigger than any individual and so the need of the country must be of utmost priority. Our moral values, societal laws, Christian and other religious beliefs and values are all against the movement and lifestyle of LGBTQ.”

It craved the indulgence of all victims and practitioners of LGBTQ to seek counseling and rehabilitation to maintain the “right human sexual standards for themselves and for the good of society.”

The presbytery not only focused on the anti-LGBTQ Bill but also touched on wider issues of national importance, extending gratitude to God for His guidance and protection of Ghanaians.

It also praised the government for its efforts in combating extremism and terrorism, thereby safeguarding the country's peace.

“While we commend the Government for its efforts at securing our borders as a country, we wish to urge the Government to pay attention to the needs of the citizenry.

The grievances of the citizens, including teachers, and other workers must be given the needed attention to arrest all forms of apprehension against the Government that would disturb the peace.”

The Keta Presbytery also drew attention to the need for further improvements in the Free Senior High School (SHS) Policy, specifically emphasizing the importance of providing adequate infrastructure and resources for schools.

It also stated that the Electoral Commission must ensure fair and transparent elections, and called on all political parties to prioritize the national interest and uphold a spirit of patriotism.

The Presbytery went beyond politics to focus on broader societal issues, highlighting the need to protect and safeguard the youth.

It also appealed to traditional leaders and community members to address social ills and calls on all citizens to plant more trees to help reverse the rapid change in climatic conditions