Sister Derby calls out Asiedu Nketiah’s 'hypocrisy' on anti-LGBTQ+ stance

Ghanaian socialite and musician Deborah Vanessa, popularly known as Sister Derby, has taken aim at National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah over his recent comments supporting the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill in Ghana.

In a post on the social media platform X, Sister Derby highlighted what she called a glaring contradiction, referencing a 2015 incident where Asiedu Nketiah was photographed wearing a women’s coat during an official visit to Germany.

“A Ghanaian man who in 2015 wore a women’s coat during an official visit to Germany wants an anti-LGBTQ+ bill that will jail people for cross-dressing to become law. Hypocrisy!” she wrote, directly addressing the NDC Chairman.

Her comments come in response to remarks Asiedu Nketiah made at an NDC campaign rally in Kumasi, where he accused President Akufo-Addo of hesitating to endorse the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. Nketiah claimed the NDC had introduced the bill to align with the views of religious leaders and citizens opposed to homosexuality.

“The NDC has shown its disapproval of homosexuality in the country, which is why we introduced a bill against it. Even Muslims and other religious leaders are fighting against LGBTQ. But Akufo-Addo has refused to sign the bill,” Nketiah stated.

The anti-LGBTQ+ bill, introduced three years ago by a group of MPs led by Sam George, seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ advocacy and behavior, including cross-dressing. However, the bill has faced significant delays and scrutiny, with ongoing debates about its constitutionality. It is currently under review by Ghana's Supreme Court.

Sister Derby, an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, has often used her platform to challenge what she sees as discriminatory policies and rhetoric, with her latest critique adding to the ongoing debate around the bill.