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 Richard Ahiagbah
Richard Ahiagbah
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Ahiagbah challenges Mahama to uphold pledge on LGBTQ+ Bill

The Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah has called on President John Dramani Mahama to sign the LGBTQ+ Bill, officially known as the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, into law.

He criticised the President for what he described as a shift in position on the controversial legislation. 

This follows President Mahama's recent comments suggesting the bill, which originated as a Private Member’s Bill, would have had greater national impact if it had been sponsored by the government. 

Speaking during a meeting with Catholic Bishops on Tuesday, January 14, President Mahama stressed the importance of integrating moral and cultural education into school curricula to instill Ghanaian and African values in young people. 

"If we are teaching our values in school, we won't need to pass a bill [on LGBT] to enforce our family values. And that is where I think more than, even the family values bill is [on] us agreeing on a curriculum that inculcates these values into our children as they are growing up so that we don't need to legislate it. And so we will see how all these will go. I am looking forward to a review conference," President Mahama has said.

He further argued that a government-sponsored bill would allow for broader consultations and foster national consensus.

However, in a social media post on Thursday, January 16, Mr. Ahiagbah accused the President of backtracking on his campaign commitment to approve the bill in its current form. 

He urged Mr Mahama to honour his promise, warning of political repercussions. “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,” Mr. Ahiagbah wrote.

Key provisions of the Bill

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill prescribes stringent penalties for LGBTQ+ activities and advocacy. If enacted, individuals found guilty of promoting, funding, or advocating for LGBTQ+ practices could face jail terms ranging from three to five years.

The bill also criminalizes public identification as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or related identities, with offenders facing imprisonment of two months to three years.

The proposed legislation has ignited widespread debate across Ghana and beyond. Advocates argue it is essential for preserving Ghanaian cultural and family values, while opponents view it as a severe infringement on human rights and freedoms.

Related article :

Ghana does not need an LGBT bill to enforce family values - President Mahama tells Catholic Bishops

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