Anti-LGBTQ Bill: NPP Figures Chase Mahama Over Comments On Possible Legislation

Anti-LGBTQ Bill: NPP Figures Chase Mahama Over Comments On Possible Legislation

  • New Patriotic Party figures have criticised President John Mahama over his comments on the anti-LGBTQ bill
  • Assin South MP Rev. John Ntim Fordjour accused the president of changing his position on the Family Values Bill
  • The Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party, Richard Ahiagbah, feels the president is running away from the bill

Some figures in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have criticised President John Mahama over his recent comments on the anti-LGBTQ bill.

The Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, accused the president of changing his position on the anti-LGBTQ bill.

Anti-LGBTQ Bill, NPP, John Mahama, Legislation, Richard Ahiagbah
Some NPP figures are unhappy with President John Mahama's comments on the anti-LGBTQ bill. Source: John Dramani Mahama
Source: Facebook

The Communications Director of the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah, said the president was avoiding the bill.

While Mahama has indicated his opposition to homosexuality, he has not pledged to sign the bill, which expired at the dissolution of the eighth parliament. The previous president refused to assent to the bill.

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In comments on Facebook, Ahiagbah said elections have consequences, and Mahama must not shift the goalpost.

Fordjour, one of the backers of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, told Okay FM that Mahama was betraying Ghanaians' trust.

“It is shocking that just six days after taking office, Mahama is telling the Catholic Bishops that the bill is no longer necessary. This is a clear betrayal of the promises he made to Ghanaians."

What Mahama said about the anti-LGBTQ bill

Speaking during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops Conference on January 14, Mahama said the perceived family values could be better instilled in children when they are young.

3News reported that Mahama proposed more inclusive ways to uphold traditional values rather than legislation.

"...I think more than even the Family Values Bill, it’s us agreeing on a curriculum that inculcates these values into our children as they’re growing up so that we don’t need to legislate it.“

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Mahama also noted that the bill would have a higher chance of success and broader legitimacy if the executive sponsored it.

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill is a private members bill sponsored by eight legislators.

According to the bill, among other things, persons who identify as LGBTQ or engage in same-sexual acts could be jailed between three months and three years.

Open allies of the LGBTQ community, such as donors, activists, or promoters, could be jailed between a minimum of three months and a maximum of six months in jail.

Legal challenges to the anti-LGBTQ bill

YEN.com.gh reported that Richard Dela Sky, a lawyer, and Dr Amanda Odoi, a lecturer, unsuccessfully sued to kill the bill at the Supreme Court.

Sky and Odoi challenged the bill on grounds ranging from Parliamentary procedure to fundamental human rights.

The Supreme Court dismissed the petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill in December 2024.

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In its summary judgment, the Supreme Court panel said the petition did not properly invoke the court's jurisdiction.

The leader of the panel, Justice Lovelace Avril Johnson, said the challenges were premature.

Proofread by Samuel Gitonga, Copy Editor at YEN.com.gh

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Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Delali Adogla-Bessa avatar

Delali Adogla-Bessa (Current Affairs Editor) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.