Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill: President Can Only Sign It After Addressing All Sensitive Issues – Richard Ahiagbah

The Director of Communication for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah has said that addressing all sensitive issues is essential before President Akufo-Addo signs the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill into law.

He pointed out that there are diverse views on the bill that need careful consideration, making it crucial to take the necessary time to address these varied perspectives.

Mr Ahiagbah said that while both President Akufo-Addo and the party oppose the act, it is important to resolve all concerns regarding the anti-LGBTQ legislation before it is passed into law.

“In a space that is shared not only by you but by other people, we live in a global village. You have to address all the sensitivity obtained in that space.

“I think that the President is right today; posterity will remember him for making this cautionary step in moving towards signing this into law if eventually all of its measures are deemed to be constitutional and do not offend people rightly by the Supreme Court, and that is where the final line is drawn,” he said.

The NPP Communications Director said the bill has the potential to impact people’s rights and must be thought through carefully.

“So if you are a president seeking to sign that bill, you must be clear in your mind that every consideration for every possible right of people has been considered and you sign that only upon that satisfaction. So you don’t do that arbitrarily.

“You don’t do that on the basis that former President Mahama who I can tell you immediately will flip flop on the position that he supports it, will criticize you for it. You sign it because you have done due diligence, you have weighed all the considerations, and seen that ultimately this will promote social good, will advance the cohesion of our society, then you sign it,” he stressed.