Private legal practitioner and member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Gideon Tettey Tetteh has criticized the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for attempting to pressure the new administration into passing the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill within 14 days.
Speaking on the matter, Tettey argued that the government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, is still in the process of forming its administration and cannot be rushed into addressing such significant legislative issues.
“We have been given a four-year mandate. You don’t come here and try to pressure us to pass a bill within 14 days when we haven’t even settled on our ministers,” Tettey Tetteh remarked.
He emphasized that the government is still appointing ministers and organizing its administrative framework, making the demands from the NPP unrealistic.
The issue of the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill has remained a contentious one in Ghana. The Supreme Court recently ruled that the bill’s passage into law must follow constitutional procedures, reaffirming Parliament’s authority to deliberate on and pass the legislation.
This decision has reignited debates on the urgency of addressing the matter.
During his campaign, President Mahama promised to prioritize the cultural and moral values of Ghanaians, assuring voters that his government would take a firm stand against LGBTQ+ practices.
He pledged to ensure the bill’s passage while also safeguarding the constitutional rights of all citizens.
These commitments have put additional public pressure on the new administration to act swiftly.
Tettey Tetteh, however, dismissed the NPP’s demands as premature and politically motivated.
He argued that the opposition is using the issue to score political points, despite knowing the government is still in transition.
“This is premature. It’s a result of what [the President] told the Catholic Bishops, but it’s too early. We are not settled yet.
We have time within our four-year mandate to address this issue comprehensively,” he emphasized.
He reassured Ghanaians that the NDC government remains committed to fulfilling its campaign promises, including addressing concerns around the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.
Nonetheless, he maintained that the government cannot be coerced by the “micro-minority” in Parliament, especially when critical administrative structures are still being finalized.
Anti-LGBTQ+ bill: NPP can’t pressure us to sign within 14 days, with ministerial appointments still pending – Gideon Tettey Tetteh ESQ. (NDC) pic.twitter.com/Mb5mhnzAU7
— Joy Prime (@JoyPrimeTV) January 15, 2025
