A former NDC parliamentary aspirant for Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro, Alexander Akuorkoh, has weighed in on the ongoing national debate surrounding the LGBTQ+ bill, expressing disappointment in the stance taken by Hon. John Ntim Fordjour.
In a strongly worded statement, Akuorkoh said he feels “very sad” for Ntim Fordjour, accusing him of backing away from his earlier position on the bill.
According to him, Ntim Fordjour, along with some Members of Parliament, failed to maintain consistency when the bill was forwarded to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for assent.
Akuorkoh explained that once a bill has gone through parliamentary deliberations and is sent to the President, the legislative process is largely complete. He noted that if the President declines to sign and the bill expires, it must be reintroduced in Parliament.
However, he stressed that the President has no control over the bill until Parliament has fully completed its processes.
He further argued that if Parliament has fulfilled its mandate and the President, H.E John Dramani Mahama refuses to assent to the bill, it would then be appropriate for public discourse and possible demonstrations to take place.
The former aspirant urged Ntim Fordjour to demonstrate leadership by encouraging his colleagues to fast-track the legislative process instead of organizing a press conference to lambast the president.
Akuorkoh also took a swipe at the opposition, calling for what he described as “responsible opposition,” emphasizing the need for constructive criticism rather than what he termed “baseless press conferences.”
Despite his concerns, he expressed optimism that the President will ultimately assent to the bill once it reaches his desk.
The LGBTQ+ bill continues to generate intense public and political debate in Ghana, with stakeholders divided over its implications for human rights, cultural values, and governance.
