Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of neglecting the anti-LGBT law it actively championed while in opposition, casting doubt on the party’s commitment to the principles it once publicly upheld.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, January 26, Minority Leader Mr. Afenyo-Markin criticized the NDC for remaining silent on the proposed anti-LGBT law, barely a year into its time in office, despite having campaigned vigorously for its enactment.
He noted that while in opposition, the NDC consistently maintained that Ghana required an anti-LGBT law to safeguard the nation’s cultural and religious values.
“In eight parliaments, when they were in opposition, they told the whole world that Ghana needed an anti-LGBT law,” he said. “They said it was to protect our culture and our religious beliefs.”
He pointed out that the party actively promoted the bill nationwide during its campaign.
“They were allowed on the streets of Accra. They went into our villages. They engaged the media, religious leaders, and traditional rulers,” he stated.
However, Mr. Afenyo-Markin noted that the party’s stance shifted once it assumed power.
“One year down the line, they have been in office, and they have gone quiet on the anti-LGBT law,” he said.
He criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s comments, suggesting that the government was undertaking broader consultations to improve the bill.
“We hear the President say they are doing wider consultations to see how the law can be better formulated,” he said. ” Was it not the same law they said was okay to be passed?” he questioned.
The Minority Leader also accused the NDC of obstructing the legislative process when Minority MPs introduced a private member’s bill aimed at advancing the law.
“When the Minority decided to pin them to their own principles through a private member’s bill, the NDC suddenly used procedure to claim there was no approval by the Speaker,” he alleged.
He added that the party went on to place the blame on the Clerk of Parliament.
“They tried to scapegoat the Clerk to Parliament after all processes had been followed and approval given,” he added.
Mr Afenyo-Markin accused the government of deliberately denying Ghanaians a law it once promised.
“As we speak, they have refused, neglected, and deliberately denied the people of Ghana the anti-LGBT law they themselves spoke about,” he said.
He also expressed concern over what he described as the inclusion of sexual rights in the school curriculum.
“To make matters worse, they have found space in our curriculum to introduce the promotion of sexual rights to our children,” he claimed.
He said government officials later referred to the development as an error.
“When they were exposed, they said it was a mistake—an anomaly,” he said. “What an anomaly.”
He questioned how official documents approved and signed by a sector minister could be described as an error.
“These were government documents, printed, circulated, and signed by no less a person than a sector minister,” he noted. “It was only through the vigilance of the minority that this was exposed.”
Mr Afenyo-Markin accused the NDC of using the anti-LGBT law as a political tool.
“We do not accept this,” he said. “The NDC used the anti-LGBT law only to win power. Now that they are faced with reality, they are trying to run away from it.”
He insisted that the minority would continue to pressure the government to act.
“We will insist that they act by their own principles,” he added.
