Ghanaians were once told that the controversial Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the LGBTQ+ Bill, had been finalised and was only awaiting the signature of the then-President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to become law. Despite mounting public pressure, he did not assent to the bill before leaving office. To this day, no clear reason has been given for that inaction.
This perceived delay became a major campaign issue in the lead-up to the 2024 elections. The then-opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) capitalised on the growing dissatisfaction, promising Ghanaians that, if elected, their government would expedite the passage of the bill into law without hesitation.
It has now been nearly five months since the new administration assumed office, yet the LGBTQ+ Bill remains in limbo. No official statement has been issued on its status. No parliamentary update has been provided. The silence is not only puzzling, it is deeply disappointing to many citizens who had hoped for swift action.
The question now arises: Was the previous administration unfairly vilified? Was it, perhaps, not a matter of refusal but of political caution in a complex international and diplomatic environment? We don’t want to believe the position of the NDC has been compromised.
If the NDC government, which rode to power partly on the back of this issue, now finds itself equally hesitant, Ghanaians deserve to know why. The bill, for many, is not just about legislation, it is about preserving cultural values, responding to public sentiment, and holding leaders accountable for their promises.
Failure to provide clarity on such a deeply emotive national issue risks eroding public trust in the political system. It risks creating the impression that political parties only exploit sensitive matters for electoral gain, with no real intention of following through. Let this one too not become like the political mantra to fight corruption which has never been fulfilled by any political party since the 4th Republic. Corruption is still persuasive despite the numerous campaign promises to fight it. We haven’t seen many punitive measures being put in place to combat corruption.
As a nation, we must demand transparency. If there are legal, constitutional, or diplomatic challenges hindering the passage of the bill, the people of Ghana deserve to be told. Leadership is not about silence, it is about courage, clarity, and communication.
Let it not be that former President Nana Addo was unjustly accused of failing the will of the people, only for the new administration to prove equally unwilling or unable to act. As we all remain silent, the evil acts are ongoing, the répercussions are dangerous to all of us. Parliament must speak. The Executive must act.
Ghanaians are watching!!!
FAB’s Gist
