The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Communications Director, Richard Ahiagbah, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to honor his promise to sign the Anti-Gay Bill into law.
Mr. Ahiagbah’s comments follow President Mahama’s recent suggestion that the bill, originally introduced as a Private Member’s Bill, would be more effective if sponsored by the government. During a meeting with Catholic Bishops on January 14, President Mahama emphasized incorporating moral and cultural values into school curricula to promote Ghanaian and African principles.
He further argued that a government-sponsored bill would require broader consultation and foster national consensus.
In a Facebook post on January 16, Mr. Ahiagbah accused the President of reneging on his campaign pledge to sign the LGBTQ+ Bill in its current form, a promise made during the 2024 general election.
“H.E. John Mahama is running away from signing the LGBTQ+ Bill after promising to do so in its current form. Elections have consequences, and H.E. Mahama must not shift the goalpost. Sign the bill as you have pledged to Ghanaians,” he wrote.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, if passed, prescribes prison terms of three to five years for individuals promoting or funding LGBTQ+ activities. Those publicly identifying as LGBTQ+ or allies could face two months to three years imprisonment.