Ningo-Prampram lawmaker Samuel Nartey George has said the stance of former President John Dramani Mahama on the issue of homosexuality is bold and decisive.
He said Mr Mahama has shown leadership by stating publicly his position on the matter.
“Dear JD Mahama, this is bold. This is decisive. This is leadership. Standing for what one believes in. I have never doubted your position on the matter, especially when you were attacked as President in Scotland in 2016 over your position on homosexuality. Posterity would remember you for good. The Country stands with you on this Sir,” Sam George who is a sponsor of the antigay bill wrote on his X platform.
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.
Bawumia must also state his position on LGBTQI just as Mahama did – Apaak
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.