NPP hits out at Mahama, labels LGBTQI+ stance ‘deceptive'

Politics

1 month ago

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused President John Dramani Mahama and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of “political deceit, hypocrisy, and double standards” over the handling of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday (7 April), Assin South MP, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, said the NDC had misled Ghanaians during its years in opposition by strongly backing the controversial bill, only to retreat after assuming power.“We have called you here today to address a matter of grave national importance—a matter that exposes the highest order of political deceit, hypocrisy, and double standards,” Fordjour, a strong proponent of the bill, told journalists.Strong rhetoricRev. Fordjour traced the bill's origins to 2021, noting that it was sponsored by members of both major parties, including several NDC lawmakers.He said the NDC’s posture at the time was “firmly supportive and politically assertive,” adding that the party “engaged the streets, the media, religious leaders, and traditional rulers” to push the narrative that the then-government lacked commitment to Ghanaian values.During the 2024 campaign, he noted, Mr. Mahama “explicitly pledged to sign the bill into law,” portraying himself as “the ultimate, uncompromising defender of our family values.”However, the NPP argues that the tone changed after the NDC returned to power in 2025.In engagements with religious leaders, including the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, President Mahama suggested that a new, government-backed bill would be more appropriate following the expiration of the previous Parliament.At the time, he argued that the legislation “probably shouldn’t be a private member’s bill… [but] a government bill with government behind it after consultation with all stakeholders.”The Catholic Bishops’ Conference had consistently urged political authorities to ensure the bill's passage, stressing the need to safeguard what it describes as Ghanaian family values and moral standards.‘Not a priority’ remarkThe controversy intensified after President Mahama stated on 31 March that his administration was focused on addressing “basic needs,” signaling that the bill was not an immediate priority.Rev. Fordjour questioned the shift, asking: “Were these basic needs not present between 2021 and 2024 when your party weaponized this issue to win votes?”“To advocate so aggressively for a policy in opposition, only to dismiss it as a low priority once in government, is the height of hypocrisy,” he added.Curriculum concerns resurfaceThe NPP also raised concerns about developments in Ghana’s education sector, citing a controversy over teaching materials.The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) earlier acknowledged the inclusion of contested definitions in a teacher’s manual and later described it as an anomaly.But Rev. Fordjour alleged a contradiction with earlier assurances from the president.“President Mahama promised to use the curriculum to protect our children… instead, his government used the curriculum to quietly lay the groundwork to indoctrinate them,” he said. Silence among former advocates?The opposition also questioned what it described as the silence of key NDC figures who had previously championed the bill in Parliament.Among them are Samuel Nartey, George, and Alhassan Suhuyini, now serving in government roles.Rev. Fordjour suggested their reduced advocacy indicates the issue was politically motivated.“For these NDC ministers, the bill was never about an ideological commitment… it was merely a strategic vehicle to ride back into the Jubilee House,” he said. Calls for clarity and actionThe NPP is demanding that President Mahama clearly state his position on the bill.“He must state unequivocally whether he intends to sign the bill… without hiding behind excuses of ‘basic needs’ or procedural preferences,” Rev. Fordjour said.The party also called on religious bodies and civil society groups to hold the government accountable and urged Parliament to expedite the reintroduction and passage of the legislation.Ongoing debateThe Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill remains deeply divisive, drawing strong backing from religious organizations and cultural groups, while also attracting criticism over potential human rights implications and international repercussions.With pressure mounting from multiple fronts, the Mahama administration is likely to face continued scrutiny over its handling of one of Ghana’s most sensitive legislative debates.

source: Thenouncergh.com

NPP hits out at Mahama, labels LGBTQI+ stance ‘deceptive'

Opinion