Amidst ongoing debates surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana, the Association of Progressive Muslims has issued a directive to Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, urging him to advocate for the enactment of the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill into law.
The association has urged Bawumia to ensure President Akufo-Addo puts his signature on the legislation to make it a law.
They have also urged the Vice President to uphold his stance against LGBTQ+ practices in Ghana.
In a press release dated April 11, 2024, the Association commended Dr. Bawumia for publicly declaring his opposition to homosexuality.
However, they emphasized the importance of ensuring concrete actions, urging him to persuade President Akufo-Addo to sign the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill into law.
“Good news for mother Ghana and we’re so glad Alhaji Bawumia has listen to our call finally. However, we expect him to in the coming days, ensure that his boss, President Akufo-Addo signs the Anti- LGBTQ Bill for this matter to be brought to finality. Without that, we’ll assume it is the usual political antics to deceive Ghanaians, like in the case of his promise to build Cape Coast a harbour, like his claim of shifting the focus of the economic management policy from taxation to production which, turned out to be the shifting of the focus of economic management policy from production to more taxation.” the release signed by President of the Association, Umar Harris stated.
Dr. Bawumia reiterated his stance during Eid Al Fitr celebrations in Kumasi, aligning his opposition with his religious beliefs and Ghanaian cultural norms. However, the Association urged him to translate his words into tangible actions by advocating for the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill’s passage.
“It is important to note our cultural, societal and norms as well as values as Ghanaians frown on the same sex marriage. Further, as a Muslim my view on this matter aligns with the position of my religious faith. My faith is strictly against the practice of LGBTQ+, No ifs, no buts. Therefore, I personally cannot support that which my religion and indeed all major religions in Ghana as well as our societal norms and values clearly forbid. All major religious are opposed to the practice and I stand opposed to it now and I will stand opposed to it as president,” he said.
“Ghanaians have leant many bitter lessons from Dr. Bawumia and Nana Addo, and won’t fall for any of his political gymnastics again. This is the same man who inspired hope into the poor that Mobile Money will not be taxed so Ghanaians should accept it to save his government from going to the IMF, what happened in the end? Mobile money tax was introduced and yet proceeded to the IMF.
“Ghanaians expect action and not his usual rhetoric. The only way to prove his commitment on the LGBTQ is to persuade his boss, President Akufo-Addo to sign the Anti- LGBTQ Bill as soon as possible,” the release concluded.