John Mahama Takes Stance Against LGBTQ Rights
Former President John Mahama Takes Stance Against LGBTQ Rights
Eastern Region, Ghana – Former President John Mahama, the leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has openly declared his opposition to LGBTQ rights. Speaking to a group of religious leaders, Mahama emphasized his strong adherence to his faith and its stance against homosexuality.
“I believe in my faith, and my faith is against LGBTQ; I am an Assemblies of God member,” Mahama stated unequivocally. “This is because the faith I have does not support gay marriages.”
In light of his beliefs, Mahama urged the government to collaborate with parliament to ensure the passage of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill. This private member’s bill is currently pending in parliament and seeks to further restrict LGBTQ rights in the country.
However, Mahama questioned President Akufo-Addo’s commitment to signing the LGBTQ bill, expressing doubts about the government’s stance on the matter.
“Government will not assent to the [LGBTQ] bill, which is yet to be passed,” Mahama asserted. “The government, through the Attorney General, has made it clear that a private member’s bill, due to its financial implications, will not be assented to even when it is passed.”
While acknowledging the financial implications of the bill, the former president suggested that the executive and legislative branches work together to remove certain financially burdensome clauses.
“Parliament and the executive can review the bill and remove any clauses that impose a financial burden on the government,” Mahama proposed. “This would pave the way for the president to be willing to sign the agreement. So I do not support LGBTQ. A man is a man, and a woman is a woman,” he reiterated his position.
Mahama’s public stance against LGBTQ rights comes at a time when the issue has become increasingly contentious in Ghana. The LGBTQ community continues to face discrimination and persecution, and the debate surrounding their rights remains a deeply divisive topic in the country.
As the government and parliament consider the passage of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, the stance of influential figures like former President Mahama will undoubtedly shape the discourse and the eventual outcome of the legislation.