Stop running away and sign anti-gay bill – Richard Ahiagbah to Mahama

The Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to honour his campaign pledge by signing the contentious Anti-Gay Bill into law.

The comments follow President Mahama’s recent suggestion that a government-sponsored bill would be more effective than the current Private Member’s Bill.

According to the President, such an approach would enable broader consultation and foster national consensus.

During a meeting with the Bishops on Tuesday, January 14, President Mahama emphasized the need to revise school curriculums to include moral and cultural teachings that uphold Ghanaian and African values among children.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, January 16, the NPP Communications Director, Mr. Ahiagbah, accused President Mahama of reneging on his commitment to sign the LGBTQ+ Bill—a promise he made during the 2024 general election campaign.

Mr. Ahiagbah urged the President to approve the bill in its current form without further delay, cautioning that elections come with consequences.

“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…
#Ghana @JDMahama @NJOAgyemang.”
The controversial bill aims to criminalize activities associated with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) advocacy. If passed into law, it would impose penalties on individuals promoting or funding LGBTQI-related activities, as well as those providing indirect support.

Proponents argue the bill is necessary to protect Ghanaian cultural and family values, which they claim are being undermined by foreign ideologies.

Conversely, critics, including human rights groups, condemn the bill as a violation of fundamental human rights, such as freedom of expression, association, and equality under the law.