Zaato urges Mahama to act on LGBTQ+ bill
A University of Ghana political scientist has issued a direct and urgent appeal to President John Dramani Mahama to prioritise the passage of Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, warning that continued inaction could permanently bury the issue.
Dr. Joshua Zaato, speaking on the JoyNews AM Show on Thursday, pulled no punches in his assessment, arguing that both the current and previous administrations have been equally non-committal on what he considers a defining national question.
“When it comes to this LGBT right now, as we’re sitting here, Akufo-Addo and Mahama are the same. So far, none of them has actually done the biggest task,” he said.
Dr. Zaato criticised former President Akufo-Addo for declining to assent to the bill after it was passed by Parliament, calling it an inappropriate abdication of responsibility. “Akufo-Addo refused to sign the bill. And I have said it was wrong for him to do that; he shouldn’t have done it,” he stated.
Turning to the Mahama administration, he expressed concern that the president’s disposition suggests the matter has been quietly shelved. “So far, from what we are seeing, President Mahama is also saying that it’s not a priority,” he noted, a stance he firmly rejected.
For Dr. Zaato, the issue transcends partisan politics and cuts to the heart of national identity. “I think it’s a national priority. I think our value is a national priority. I think defining, identifying who we are, is a national priority,” he argued, adding, “I think taking a stand and saying that we believe that this man, woman, is who we are, is a priority.”
He also pointed to Parliament’s capacity to fast-track legislation when the will exists, noting that “we’ve seen laws go to Parliament as emergencies,” and questioned why the same urgency had not been applied here.
Referencing other African nations including Nigeria and Senegal as examples of countries that have taken decisive legislative action on the matter, Dr. Zaato cautioned that delay carries long-term consequences. “If we begin to downgrade this issue, and if this issue goes past another president, it may never come up,” he warned.
He also cited growing frustration among Ghana’s major religious bodies, noting that “the Ghana Catholic Bishop Conference is disappointed. The Christian Council is disappointed”, suggesting that the pressure on government extends well beyond academic circles.
Concluding with a pointed appeal, Dr. Zaato called on President Mahama to leverage his parliamentary majority and act without further hesitation. “Mr President, it’s not too late. And I’m hoping that you reconsider and you submit the public option to Parliament. You have a supermajority. Send it as an emergency bill. Send it tonight; let them pass it tonight. Sign it tomorrow. Mr. President, make history,” he urged.
He also invoked the legacy of the late President John Evans Atta Mills, encouraging Mahama to “follow the footsteps of your successor, Professor Mills,” in taking firm and principled positions on critical national matters.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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