The Concerned Youth of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region have sharply criticised the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing it of deliberately delaying the passage and assent of the Anti-LGBTQ Bill despite holding an overwhelming parliamentary majority.
The group described the NDC’s majority as “abnormal,” arguing that the ruling party has no excuse for not fast-tracking the controversial legislation, which it can pass without any support from the opposition NPP.
Speaking to the media in Kumasi, the leader of the Ashanti NPP Youth, Dr Keskine Owusu Poku, called on civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, Christian and Muslim leaders to intensify pressure on President John Dramani Mahama to assent to the bill.
Dr Owusu Poku reminded Ghanaians that during the 2024 election campaign, President Mahama publicly pledged to sign the Anti-LGBTQ Bill if it was presented to him. However, after fifteen months in office, the president has failed to fulfil that promise, he claimed.
“Several NDC members also assured Ghanaians that they would pass the bill when they assumed power, but their current actions suggest otherwise,” Dr Owusu Poku stated.
He urged citizens to demand accountability from the government and called on religious bodies and civil society groups to renew their advocacy efforts to ensure the bill is passed without further delay.
Dr Keskine Owusu Poku also contradicted claims made during the 2024 campaign that former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had refused to sign the bill, insisting that the legislation was never presented to him for assent.
The Ashanti NPP Youth’s strong remarks reflect growing impatience among sections of the opposition over the government’s handling of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which has been a subject of intense national debate for several years.
