The former chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddy Blay, has criticized religious bodies in Ghana for their demands on the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
The Catholic Bishops Conference has issued a warning to the NPP, stating that they will take action in the upcoming election if President Akufo-Addo does not sign the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill into law.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has stated that he will not approve an anti-gay bill until the Supreme Court rules on its constitutionality.
In addition, the finance ministry has cautioned that Ghana could lose billions of dollars in World Bank funding if the bill is passed into law.
In response to the threats made by the Catholic Bishop Conference, Freddy Blay emphasized in an interview with Kwesi Parker Wilson on Oyerepa Breakfast show that the religious bodies are blackmailing President Akufo-Addo and the NPP government.
Background
On February 28, Parliament passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2024.
This has attracted varied reactions from various stakeholders. Locally, the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) Ghana has expressed disquiet about its passage. They have threatened to take the matter to the Supreme Court.
On the other hand, the Executive Secretary of the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values, Moses Foh-A moaning has vowed to meet persons who are against the passage of the Bill in court if they sue.
The US ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer said she is saddened by the Passage of the Bill and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has given indication that its officials are keenly monitoring events unfolding in relation to the passage of the Bill.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has urged all stakeholders to await the outcome of the case that has been filed in the Supreme Court by a concerned citizen with regard to the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill passed by Parliament before any further action is taken.
The President said with this new development, it would be proper to wait for the ruling of the Supreme Court.
“… I have learnt that, today, a challenge has been mounted at the Supreme Court by a concerned citizen to the constitutionality of the proposed legislation. In the circumstances, it would be, as well, for all of us to hold our hands, and await the decision of the Court before any action is taken,” the President wrote in a statement posted on Facebook by Director of Communication at the presidency, Eugene Arhin on March 4.
Source: oyerepafmonline.com
