Builsa South lawmaker, Dr Clement Apaak, has told the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to also make his stance clear on the issue of homosexuality just as former President John Dramani Mahama has done.
Citing what Mr Mahama said regarding homosexuality, Dr Apaak wrote on his X platform that “In response to a question during his breakfast meeting with faith leaders in the Eastern Region, John Mahama stated; ‘My faith is against LGBTQ. I am a member of the Assemblies of God Church, and the faith I have does not allow same sex marriage’.”
He added “We wait to hear what Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s response will be to the same issue!
Mr Mahama had indicated that he does not support the promotion of gay activities in the country because his faith as a Christian belonging to the Assemblies of God Church is against it.
Parliament, through a Private Members’ motion is considering a legislation on the activities of the LGBTQ community and persons in Ghana, a move that has enormous support from faith-based organizations.
The Promotion of Proper Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill popularly known as the Anti-gay/LGBTQ bill has generated series of controversies since its introduction in Parliament with many describing it as draconian.
The bill is set to criminalize the promotion, advocacy, funding and acts of homosexuality. It prescribes prison terms up to ten years in prison for LGBTQ+ advocates and three years for anyone identifying as such. Moreover, the bill seeks to withdraw health services from the LGBTQ community, including HIV medication.
Speaking at a public forum with the clergy in Koforidua as part of his ‘Building Ghana Tour’ Wednesday, January 31, 2024, Mr Mahama, also the flagbearer of the NDC said he is against the act since his faith doesn’t tell him to condone such.
“My faith as an Assemblies of God member is against LGBTQ. Because the faith I have does not support a man to marry a man and a woman marry a woman,” he indicated.
“I personally believe a man is a man and a woman is a woman. I don’t believe one can get up in a day and opt to change his gender because he feels like, so he’s going to change to become a woman when he has actually been born a man. Nature created us man and woman and God knew what he was doing when he created us like that. So my personal faith is against it,” he noted.