As President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo’s two terms in office draw to a close in less than 11 days, Private legal practitioner Nana Yaw Osei has issued a high-stakes challenge, urging the President to sign the contentious anti-LGBTQ+ bill into law, now that the Supreme Court has cleared the way.
Osei’s blistering critique, directed squarely at the President, reads: “MR. ‘LGBTQ+++ PRESIDENT’: Can you sign the Bill into law now?”
He accuses the President of deliberately orchestrating delays to avoid signing the bill, warning that some Ghanaians who value their cultural heritage are watching his actions closely.
“Some Ghanaians, who value our rich cultural heritage and traditions, saw through your tactics, Mr. President,” Osei declared.
“The Supreme Court has cleared the impediment, and it’s time for you to sign the bill into law”, Osei emphasized in a Facebook post on December 28,2024.
The bill, which has been a subject of intense debate, aims to prohibit and punish LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana. Its passage has been hailed by many as a victory for traditional values and cultural identity.
With the Supreme Court’s ruling removing the last obstacle, the President is now under intense pressure to sign the bill into law.
Ningo-Prampram MP Samuel Nartey George has also urged the President to promptly sign the bill, warning that any further delays could undermine the democratic process.
The anti-LGBTQ+ bill has been a lightning rod for controversy, with proponents arguing it’s essential to preserving Ghana’s cultural identity and opponents claiming it’s a draconian measure that violates human rights.
As the clock ticks, the nation waits with bated breath for the President’s next move. Will he sign the bill into law, or will he succumb to international pressure and abandon the legislation? One thing is certain: the fate of Ghana’s cultural identity hangs precariously in the balance.
www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu
