During this year’s Eid al-Fitr celebration, Vice President and presidential hopeful Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia made it clear that he opposes the activities of the LGBTQ+ community in Ghana.
Addressing a large crowd of Muslims in Kumasi during Eid prayers, Dr. Bawumia emphasized his stance against homosexuality in Ghana, citing his adherence to the teachings of Islam and Christianity.
Furthermore, Dr Bawumia highlighted the alignment of Ghana’s cultural values and various religious beliefs, particularly Christianity, in opposition to such practices.
“First of all, it is important to note that our cultural and societal norms and values as Ghanaians frown on the practice of homosexuality,” Dr. Bawumia said.
“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.”
“Therefore, I personally cannot support that which my religion, and indeed, all the major religions in Ghana clearly and unequivocably forbid. All the major religious traditions in Ghana (Christianity and Islam) are opposed to this practice and I stand opposed to it now and I will stand opposed to it as President, Insha Allah.”
In February this year, the Parliament of Ghana approved the bill on Human Sexual Rights and Family Values, also known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. The bill criminalizes LGBTQ+ activities, including their promotion, advocacy, and funding.
Ahead of the passage, sponsors of the bill filed a motion for a further consideration stage. The lead sponsor, Samuel Nartey George, proposed amendments to clauses 10 and 11 of the bill, which deal with the editorial policies of media firms, to ensure they align with Article 12 of the 1992 constitution, providing for freedom of the media. These amendments were approved by the House.
However, the Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, filed a motion for clause 12 of the bill, which addresses the funding of LGBTQ+ activities, to be subjected to the constitution, but this was negated by the House.
The passage of the bill by Parliament comes after Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, the Board Chair of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), called on President Akufo-Addo to reject the bill.
Prof. Gadzekpo argued that the bill undermines fundamental human rights protected by the Constitution, including dignity, freedom of speech and association, academic freedom, equality, and non-discrimination.
The bill will now require presidential assent to come into force. President Nana Akufo-Addo has not confirmed if he would sign the bill into law.
The United Nations expressed concerns in 2021, stating that the proposed law would create “a system of state-sponsored discrimination and violence” against sexual minorities.
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