Ghana's Opposition Leader Denounces LGBTQ Practices, Citing Religious Beliefs
In a recent statement, former Ghanaian president and prominent opposition figure John Dramani Mahama expressed strong opposition to LGBTQ practices, citing religious convictions that contradict such unions with his Christian faith.
Mahama, who served as Ghana's president from 2012 to 2017, conveyed his views to a gathering of Ghanaian religious leaders, stating, "The faith I have will not allow me to accept a man marrying a man, and a woman marrying a woman." He further elaborated on his belief, asserting, "I don't believe that anybody can get up and say I feel like a man although I was born a woman and so I will change and become a man."
The issue of LGBTQ rights has become a contentious topic in Ghana, with the country's parliament currently deliberating a controversial anti-LGBTQ bill. If passed, this legislation would impose stringent penalties on members of the LGBTQ community, prohibiting Ghanaians from identifying as LGBTQ and increasing the maximum sentence for same-sex activities from three to five years. Additionally, the bill includes a provision banning the advocacy of LGBTQ rights.
It is important to note that gay sex is already illegal in Ghana, carrying a three-year prison sentence.
Mahama's stance on LGBTQ issues comes at a time when the broader Ghanaian society is grappling with divergent opinions on the matter. The bill has sparked debates and discussions regarding human rights, religious beliefs, and the legal framework surrounding LGBTQ rights.
As Mahama seeks re-election in the upcoming presidential elections in December, he aligns himself with the National Democratic Congress, the main opposition party. His public stance on LGBTQ issues may influence the ongoing discourse surrounding the anti-LGBTQ bill, providing insights into the intersection of politics, religion, and human rights in Ghana.