Mahama accused of downplaying LGBTQ+ bill to British Prime Minister during visit
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused President John Dramani Mahama of downplaying the anti-LGBTQ+ bill during his recent visit to the United Kingdom.
Speaking at Chatham House in London, the President addressed the bill passed by Parliament and suggested it was “far from becoming law.”
The President later held discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where the issue was also reported to have come up.
In a press statement, the Minority Caucus said President Mahama gave firm assurances to the UK Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street that the bill was far from being signed. The caucus described the assurance as “hypocritical,” given Mahama’s earlier stance on the bill while campaigning.
“We note also that President John Dramani Mahama, in remarks made during his public engagement at Chatham House this week, appeared to suggest that his administration is in no hurry whatsoever to see the Bill become law,” the statement read.
“We have further been reliably informed that certain assurances were given by the President to the British Prime Minister at No. 10 Downing Street that the Bill remains far from becoming law.”
“If accurate, such assurances would represent a remarkable departure from the urgency with which the NDC pursued this matter while in opposition, and would further reinforce concerns regarding the Government’s consistency, credibility and commitment on the issue.”
The Minority Caucus added that the core issue is not whether Ghanaians support the values in the 2024 Bill.
“That is not in doubt. The real issue is whether the NDC can be trusted. It is obvious the NDC is not prepared to stand by the position it campaigned on while in opposition, defended in Parliament, and presented to the Ghanaian people before assuming office.”
The caucus maintained that the NDC’s relentless campaign and support for the version of the bill passed by the 8th Parliament — which President Mahama pledged to sign — means that same bill, in its original form, must be passed by the current Parliament and transmitted for presidential assent.
“That is the aspiration of the overwhelming majority of Ghanaians,” the statement concluded.
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