Take a clear position on LGBTQ+ or stop the plenty promises – Odike tells Mahama
The founder and leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Akwasi Addai Odike, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to take a clear and firm position on LGBTQ+ issues in the country, following Ghana’s abstention from a United Nations Human Rights Council’s recent vote on protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
During an appearance on Adom FM on Wednesday, July 9, Mr. Odike criticized both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), describing them as “birds of the same feather” who make grand promises during their campaigns but fail to follow through once they come to power.
“During the campaign, Mahama said he would sign the LGBTQ+ bill into law, but now he gives excuses about the bill expiring. This is part of why Ghanaians lost confidence in the NPP too,” he said, pointing out that issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and illegal mining (galamsey), are major concerns for Ghanaians.
He stressed that President Mahama needs to be firm on these matters, advising him not to “promise what you can’t fulfil.”
The UPP founder further called on Ghanaians to stay alert and hold leaders accountable to protect the nation’s cultural and moral values.
“We Ghanaians must rise up and not allow this. We need to protect Ghana from LGBTQ influences,” he encouraged.
The UN Human Rights Council voted on July 7, 2025, during its 59th session, to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The result saw 29 member states voting in favor, 15 against, with Ghana being one of three countries to abstain.
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