The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has taken a swipe at President John Dramani Mahama, urging him to “realign his priorities” following his recent assertion that LGBTQ+ issues are not among Ghana’s most pressing national concerns.
The criticism comes amid renewed public and political debate over the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely referred to as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, which is yet to be enacted into law despite strong support from sections of Parliament and religious organisations.
President John Dramani Mahama, recently speaking during an engagement with civil society organisations at the Jubilee House, acknowledged the significance of the LGBTQ+ debate but maintained that it does not rank among the country’s most urgent priorities.
He stressed that Ghana is currently confronted with more pressing socio-economic challenges, including unemployment, healthcare delivery, education, and broader living conditions.
“It is not the most important issue we face as a nation,” the President stated, adding that government attention must be directed toward “education, health care, jobs, food, clothing, and shelter.”
President Mahama further called for calm, constructive dialogue, and strict adherence to democratic processes in addressing the matter, describing the subject as sensitive and capable of generating deep public emotion.
However, the New Patriotic Party in a press briefing on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, has strongly rejected the President’s position, arguing that his comments downplay the urgency many Ghanaians attach to the passage of the bill.
According to the Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. Ntim Fordjour, who spoke on behalf of the party, national leadership must be reflective of the country’s moral and cultural values, warning that any perceived sidelining of the issue risks eroding public trust and confidence in governance.
The NPP has further accused the President of inconsistency, referencing his earlier signals that he would support the legislation if it were properly reintroduced and sponsored.
The anti-LGBTQ+ bill, formally known as the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, was first introduced in 2021 with the aim of imposing strict penalties on same-sex relationships and the promotion of LGBTQ+ activities.
Although it was passed by Parliament in February 2024, it did not become law after failing to receive presidential assent before the end of the previous administration.
It was subsequently reintroduced in 2025 as a private member’s bill, while President Mahama has expressed preference for a government-sponsored version of the legislation.
The proposed law has generated significant domestic backing, particularly from religious and traditional groups, but has also attracted international criticism over human rights concerns and potential economic implications, including risks to external funding.
In its concluding remarks, the NPP has reiterated its call on President Mahama to “realign his priorities” and focus on what it describes as Ghana’s “immediate existential challenges.”
The party is further urging government to expedite action on the bill rather than, in its view, “sideline it in favour of less pressing national debates,” insisting that Parliament must reflect the will and moral expectations of the Ghanaian people.
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