The 3rd Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alhaji Masawudu Osman, has stated that the party is waiting for President-Elect John Dramani Mahama to sign the anti-gay bill into law after his inauguration, rather than President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
In an exclusive interview with Puretvonline.com, Alhaji Osman accused the president-elect of exploiting the issue during the 2024 election campaign to gain political advantage.
He said that Mahama had accused the NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and President Akufo-Addo of conspiring to legalise same-sex marriage in Ghana, a tactic that allegedly boosted NDC’s support in the Northern Region, particularly among Muslim communities.
“This atrocity from the president-elect during the campaign made them win more votes in the Northern Region, especially the Muslim communities,” Osman remarked, calling the allegations against Bawumia and Akufo-Addo baseless.
Alhaji Osman expressed hope that Mahama would act quickly to fulfil his campaign promise by signing the bill into law.
He criticised the NDC for using what he described as deceptive tactics to win the election, adding, “I am hoping that Mahama signs the bill into law immediately after he resumes office as president, but Ghanaians will never forgive the NDC and the lies they told them.”
The NPP vice chairman stated that the party would advise President Akufo-Addo not to sign the bill before leaving office, arguing that it was Mahama’s responsibility to fulfil his promises to Ghanaians.
“The NDC has no excuse for not signing the anti-gay bill now that they have a two-thirds majority in Parliament. We are waiting for them to pass it into law,” he emphasised.
When asked whether this position was intended to trap the president-elect, Osman defended the NPP’s stance, saying, “Mahama used lies to win votes from Ghanaians, so he should be the one to do so.”
Despite calls from stakeholders for immediate action on the bill, Osman reiterated that the NDC should take responsibility, given their overwhelming majority in Parliament.
The anti-gay bill, officially known as the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, has been a polarising topic in Ghana’s political landscape. While many citizens and religious organisations support its passage, critics argue it infringes on human rights.
As the nation awaits the formal transfer of power, all eyes are on the incoming NDC administration to see how it handles the contentious bill. Mahama’s actions will likely set the tone for his presidency and potentially impact his relationship with various factions across the country.