Senior Pastor of Holy Hill Chapel, Assemblies of God, Rev. Dr. Kwadwo Boateng Bempah, has expressed concern regarding the delay in President Akufo-Addo’s assent to the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, despite its passage by Ghana’s Parliament.
During a sermon, the clergyman voiced his astonishment at the delay, questioning why the bill, which criminalizes LGBT+ activities, has not yet received presidential approval despite unanimous support from all 275 Members of Parliament.
He underscored the significance of the MPs’ unanimous vote, stating that it represents the collective stance of all Ghanaians on the issue.
Rev. Dr. Boateng Bempah posed the question “How many parliamentarians are there in Parliament? 275. Why are they there I am asking you, man of God? Are they not representing us?”.
“How come one person is waiting? Because what they are saying represents all of us…When they were voting no MP lifted his hands. Don’t sit down and tell me, pastor you can’t talk politics, this is not politics, this is our life, LGBT+ is not politics but rather it is human life,” he added.
He urged against dismissing the issue as merely political, asserting that it pertains to human life rather than politics.
The anti-LGBT+ bill, as passed by Parliament, outlaws LGBT activities and prohibits their promotion, advocacy, and funding. Offenders could face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years, with sponsors and promoters subject to three to five years’ imprisonment.
President Akufo-Addo has postponed his decision on signing the bill into law, citing a constitutional challenge in the Supreme Court.
However, should the president opt against it, MPs retain the option to override his decision by a two-thirds majority vote, thereby making the bill enforceable.
@dr.kwadwo_bempah DR. BEMPAH SPEAKS SENDS A MESSAGE TO THE LEADERS OF GHANA🇬🇭 #politicians #ghanatiktok🇬🇭 #ghana #lgbt #politics #christiantiktok #christians #drbempah #drkwadwobempah ♬ original sound – Dr. Kwadwo Bempah