What Efforts Have You Made So Akufo-Addo Signs Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill? – Pratt Quizzes Bawumia

Kwesi Pratt has scolded Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, over the latter’s comments regarding the LGBTQ+ community and matters relating to homosexuality in Ghana.

Dr. Bawumia, delivering a speech at Eid-ul-Fitr prayers in Kumasi on Thursday, April 11, stated unequivocally that he is fully against activities of the LGBTQ+ society.

He asserted that his faith as a Muslim is against the practice.

“I will like to take this opportunity to personally comment on the raging issue of LGBTQ in Ghana. First of all, it is important to note that our cultural and societal norms and values as Ghanaians frown on the practice of homosexuality…Furthermore, as a Muslim, my view on this matter aligns with the position of my religious faith. The Holy Quran is replete with verses frowning on LGBTQ acts including same-sex marriages. My faith is therefore very strictly against the practice of homosexuality, no ifs or buts. No shades of grey”, Dr. Bawumia established.

He also pledged to stand by his faith exclaiming “I stand opposed to it now and I will stand opposed to it as President”.

Addressing Bawumia’s position on the LGTBQ+ matters, that Editor-in-Chief of the Insight newspaper argued that the nation has long gone past the period of the leader stating his stance against homosexuality.

He noted that the stage Ghanaians currently find themselves is for the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to sign the anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed by Parliament to criminalize homosexual  activism and practices.

“There is only one thing left to do and that’s for President to assent to the bill to make it law. This is where we are now. The period for expressing our minds on our position on the issue is long gone. We’ve passed that stage.

“Parliament opened the floor for everyone to make his/her suggestions. Every person with a suggestion went to Parliament to make his point. Christians, Muslims and those opposed to the bill all went to make their case. We have gone past that stage now. We are no longer there”, he replied on Peace FM’s morning show “Kokrokoo”.

Mr. Pratt queried the Veep on the steps he’s taken to ensure the President assents to the bill.

“What has he done about this bill which hasn’t been signed yet to prove that he is opposed to LGBTQ+ activities in this country?”, he asked, answering “I haven’t seen anything”.