Former Forestry Commission official Charles Owusu has called on former President John Dramani Mahama to move beyond expressing support for Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill and take concrete action by signing it into law.
Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo morning show, Charles Owusu argued that Mahama’s repeated statements of support are not enough.
“We’ve heard people saying they support Mahama on his stance on LGBTQ+. Everybody has a stance, Akufo-Addo had a stance, but what we need is action. He (Mahama) promised to sign the bill, so until that is done, we are still waiting. We’ve had enough of a stance. He must deliver,” he emphasized.
Mahama, meanwhile, has urged international partners to respect Ghana’s position on LGBTQ+ issues, stressing that the country’s policies are shaped by its constitution, cultural traditions, and social consensus.
Speaking at a ceremony in the United States, where he was honoured with an international award, Mahama explained that Ghana’s legislative process must be understood within its unique national context.
“I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. The representatives of the people will discuss the bill, and once they pass it, then it comes up to the presidency. The Constitution gives various pathways for dealing with it. Public policy is grounded in our legal traditions, cultural context, and social consensus, and all those issues are playing out as we speak,” he said.
His remarks come in the wake of Lincoln University in the U.S. withdrawing plans to confer an honorary degree on him, citing concerns raised by sections of its community over his position on LGBTQ+ matters.
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