Mahama focused on jobs, not LGBTQ debate, government spokesman replies Minority

The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has rejected demands from the Minority in Parliament for President John Dramani Mahama to apologise over the government’s handling of the anti-LGBTQ bill, insisting the administration remains focused on broader national priorities.

The Minority, led by John Ntim Fordjour, had called for the President and the governing National Democratic Congress to apologise to religious and traditional leaders, accusing them of failing to prioritise the passage of the bill since assuming office.

The opposition lawmaker, who is also a sponsor of the anti-LGBTQ bill, cited sections of the Constitutional Review Committee’s report as grounds for concern, arguing that recent developments linked to the constitutional review process suggest attempts to introduce LGBTQ-related provisions into Ghana’s legal framework.

But speaking on JoyNews on Tuesday, Mr Kwakye Ofosu dismissed the demand outright.

“What is there to apologise for?” he asked. “Are you telling me that what matters most to the public is the LGBTQ issue and not their welfare? Is that what the NPP is pushing?”

He maintained that the government’s agenda is centred on improving living conditions, creating jobs and stabilising the economy, rather than elevating what he suggested was a secondary issue.

“So the President should go and apologise for making the welfare of Ghanaians his priority? Is that what they are calling you for? Where is the logic in this?” he said.

Mr Kwakye Ofosu further criticised the opposition for what he described as a misplacement of priorities, arguing that pressing socio-economic challenges should take precedence in national discourse.

“Why do they waste their time in the manner that they do? Should the president apologise for saying that the youth of Ghana having jobs is a priority? He should apologise for saying that?” he added.

He also questioned the timing of the Minority’s renewed advocacy for the legislation, suggesting the issue did not receive similar urgency when the New Patriotic Party was in power.

“Indeed, if it were a priority for them (NPP), why did they not sign it when they were in power? When did it become a priority for them? Only when they left power?” he asked.