Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, the Assin South Member of Parliament, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to take action on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, claiming that the administration has changed its stance on the issue since taking office.
Speaking at a news conference in Accra on Tuesday, April 7, Rev. Ntim Fordjour said that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has changed its opposition to the law.
“NDC portrayed the NPP government as indecisive… but the moment they assumed power, they replaced their strong stance in opposition with rhetoric. They moved from ‘pass the bill’ to ‘manage how it is introduced and structured,” he said.
He noted that the bill was no longer as urgent as it once was.
“The urgency has already evaporated, and his certainty dissolves into procedural language when he goes to America, but tells Ghanaians at home he is against LGBTQ+,” he said.
Henry Nana Boakye, the National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), stated that the issue was a major factor in the general elections of 2024 but pointed out that the government has changed its strategy.
“NDC negatively weaponised the issue of LGBTQ+ in the runup to the 2024 elections; they roped in the clergy… in government today, we are seeing something different from what they promised,” he stated.
The words come after President Mahama stated that the topic is not one of the nation’s top priority and urged discussion on LGBTQI-related issues.
The President stated that the government is still committed to tackling socioeconomic issues during a Presidential Dialogue with Civil Society Organisations on March 30 at the Jubilee House.
“I explained during my recent engagement with the World Affairs Council that it is not the most important issue we face as a nation,” he said.
“We are still grappling with the provisions of basic needs of education, health care, jobs, food, clothing, and shelter,” he added.
Additionally, President Mahama stated that democratic and constitutional procedures should be used to resolve the issue.
“While there are strong and differing views within our society, we believe that issues must be addressed through democratic processes, our core values, dialogue, and the rule of law,” he stated.
Concerns over the constitutional review process were also voiced by Rev. Ntim Fordjour, who claimed that certain ideas would have an impact on LGBTQI-related matters.
“These recommendations, if adopted, could open the door for the recognition of LGBTQ concepts within our constitutional framework,” he stated.
“This is not just a legal matter; it is an issue that goes to the heart of our values as a nation. Embedding such provisions in the Constitution will have far-reaching consequences for our moral and cultural identity,” he continued.
He added that religious and traditional leaders have been assured that the bill will be given top priority.
He stated, “We were made to understand that this bill would be treated as a priority if they came into office. What we are seeing now is a clear shift, and it amounts to a betrayal of the trust reposed in them by religious and traditional leaders.”
Source: newsthemegh.com