Anti-Gay Bill: Delaying assent pending Supreme Court ruling a 'needless political suicide' — Prof Gyampo

A senior political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo has criticized President Nana Akufo-Addo's decision to delay his assent of Ghana's controversial anti-LGBTQ bill until the Supreme Court rules on its constitutionality.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, March 6, Prof Gyampo said the President's "sudden humility" before the judiciary on an issue concerning societal values is "highly suspicious" and a "needless political suicide" in an election year.

The Professor's comments come after President Akufo-Addo said he would suspend signing the "Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill" into law to await the Supreme Court's ruling on a challenge filed against the bill.

According to Prof. Gyampo, "The Judiciary isn’t above the Executive. Theoretically, they are at par. But in Ghana, our Constitution makes the President a Political King-kon. The role of an elected President in a democracy, is not contingent on the decision of an appointed judge. They both must work."

He argues that deferring to the courts on such a sensitive societal issue goes against the President's role and mandate as the elected leader.

Doing so for political expediency in an election year amounts to "a needless political suicide", Prof. Gyampo added.

The bill, which criminalizes LGBTQ relationships and advocacy, was passed unanimously by parliament on February 28 amid widespread public support and rejection as well.

However, its compatibility with the Constitution is now subject to a test at the highest court of the land.