Same-sex marriage will never happen under my Presidency – Akufo-Addo

Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stressed that it will not be under his presidency that marriage between persons of the same sex will be legalized in the country.

The President’s pronouncement comes in the wake of pressure on the executive arm of government to come clear and state its position on activities of persons who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer. (LGBTQ+)

“For same-sex marriage to be legalized in Ghana, it will not happen in my time as President”, Akufo-Addo stated emphatically.

President Akufo-Addo made the remark at the St. Micheal and All Angels Cathedral in Asante Mampong on Saturday February 27, 2021 during the installation of the Second Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Ghana.

“I have said it before, and let me stress it again, that it will not be under the Presidency of Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo that same-sex marriage will be legal”, he stressed.

The recent opening and subsequent closure of an LGBTQI office in Ashongman in Accra generated public conversations on the issue.

While some say the practice when allowed will serve interests that are abhorrent to the culture and values of the Ghanaian people, others have insisted that the rights of LGBTQIs must be protected like anyone else.

Many religious bodies, Parliamentarians, Ministers-Designates, human right advocates,  supporters of the movement and other relevant stakeholders, in particular, have all waded into the debate for the legalization or criminalization of homosexuality in Ghana.

Nana Addo on homosexuality in 2018

This is not the first time President Akufo-Addo is publicly declaring his stance on the controversial subject.

In 2018, the President gave the first of his indication that he will never amend the laws of the country to allow for same-sex marriage.

For him, such consideration was never on his government agenda.

He made the declaration at a similar church ceremony during the synod of the Global Evangelical Church in Accra.

It followed an interview the President granted with international news network, Al-Jazeera on Ghana’s position on homosexuality.

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com