Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-02-01 13:53:28
Ghana’s ex-president and main opposition figure, John Dramani Mahama, has recently taken a firm stance against LGBTQ practices, citing a conflict with his Christian faith. According to reports from Reuters, Mahama made it clear that his beliefs prevent him from accepting same-sex marriages. “The faith I have will not allow me to accept a man marrying a man, and a woman marrying a woman,” he stated.
Speaking in front of a gathering of Ghanaian religious leaders, Mahama also expressed skepticism towards gender identity transitions. He voiced his disbelief, saying, “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 LGBTQ rights debate has been a contentious issue in Ghana, with the country’s parliament currently mulling over a controversial anti-LGBTQ bill. This proposed legislation, if passed, would impose severe penalties on LGBTQ community members. Provisions include forbidding Ghanaians from identifying as LGBTQ, as well as increasing the maximum sentence for same-sex activities from three to five years. Additionally, the bill prohibits advocating for LGBTQ rights. It’s important to note that Ghana already criminalizes gay sex, carrying a three-year prison sentence. The anti-LGBTQ bill has sparked widespread discussion and concern within the country.
John Dramani Mahama, who served as Ghana’s president from 2012 to 2017, lost his bid for a second term in the 2016 elections to current President Nana Akufo-Addo. Now, at age 65, Mahama is vying for re-election in the upcoming December presidential elections, representing the main opposition party National Democratic Congress.
Mahama’s stance on LGBTQ issues has stirred conversation both in Ghana and beyond. His public opposition to LGBTQ practices has ignited debate about the intersection of religion, politics, and human rights. As the presidential election approaches, his statements on these sensitive issues are likely to continue sparking discussion and influencing public opinion.
The LGBTQ community in Ghana, as well as human rights advocates, continue to push back against the proposed anti-LGBTQ legislation. They argue that such measures infringe upon the rights and freedoms of individuals, and go against the principles of equality and non-discrimination. The debate over LGBTQ rights in Ghana is ongoing, with passionate voices on both sides of the issue.
In recent years, LGBTQ rights have become a significant social and political topic in numerous countries around the world. The clash between traditional beliefs, cultural norms, and evolving attitudes towards gender and sexuality has led to heated discussions and debates. Ghana’s handling of LGBTQ rights, including the potential passage of the anti-LGBTQ bill, has positioned the country within this broader global conversation on human rights and equality. The outcome of this legislative debate will undoubtedly have repercussions, not only for LGBTQ Ghanaians, but also for the country’s international standing and relations.
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