Member of Parliament for Assin South and Former Deputy Education Minister, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has criticized President John Dramani Mahama for what he describes as a reversal on his stance regarding the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-gay bill.
Rev. Fordjour accused President Mahama of backtracking on his earlier promises to support the bill, emphasizing that while in opposition, President Mahama had expressed a strong commitment to endorsing the legislation without hesitation. He questioned why the President, barely a week into his new term, was now proposing curriculum reforms as an alternative to the bill, despite its widespread public support, citing that 73% of Ghanaians stand by it.
In an X post on Friday, January 17, he recalled how President Mahama had previously assured the clergy and the public of his full backing for the bill, particularly during the Assin North by-election and meetings with religious leaders. He argued that the President’s current stance appears to contradict his earlier pledges, calling it a move away from the values and expectations of the Ghanaian people.
Rev. Fordjour reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the bill is reintroduced in the next Parliament in its original form. He insisted that the legislation would be presented to the President unchanged and expressed confidence that Ghanaian citizens, the clergy, and traditional leaders would continue to support the bill.
He criticized the President’s alternative suggestion of relying on curriculum reforms, arguing that such measures would be insufficient to address the core issues the bill seeks to tackle.
Contrasting the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) unwavering support for the bill with Mahama’s current position, Rev. Fordjour highlighted Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s promise to sign the bill if elected president, portraying the NPP as more consistent in defending Ghana’s cultural values.
The Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, which gained significant attention during the 2024 elections, has already been reviewed by the Supreme Court, which ruled that it does not infringe on individuals’ rights.
He called on Ghanaians to remain steadfast in their principles and values, regardless of who holds power, as the nation awaits the President’s final decision on the bill.
