By: Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, Shamima Muslim has dismissed claims that President Mahama is making a U-turn in signing the Anti LGBTQ bill. According to her, the President is determined to bring the bill back through the Attorney General hence the claims that he is unwilling to sign the bill is false.
Speaking in an interview on the GTV Breakfast Show, the Deputy Presidential Spokesperson stated that once all outstanding issues with the bill are resolved, it will be presented to Parliament by the Attorney General, Dominic Ayine, in the coming months. She emphasized that this move reflects a firm commitment from the highest level of government — the President.
Addressing the government’s position on LGBTQ+ issues, she said, ’We are not in support of the legalization of same sex marriage.”
She also urged Ghanaians to acknowledge the reality of homosexuality in the country, noting that some individuals may even have LGBTQ+ family members. She encouraged the public not to shield individuals involved in such acts, clarifying that while the law will take its course, the government does not condone violence against anyone, as violence is not sanctioned under its provisions.
“No country of conscience can say those involved in the act should be beaten up because they’re different, I personally don’t support metting out violence to homosexuals’’, she said.
The anti-LGBTQ+ bill seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities, advocacy, and support services, with penalties including fines and imprisonment.
The bill also aims to prohibit same-sex marriage and public displays of affection between individuals of the same sex.
