The Minister of State in charge of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has dismissed calls by the Minority in Parliament for an apology from John Dramani Mahama over the government’s handling of the anti-LGBTQ bill, stressing that the administration remains focused on broader national priorities.
His response comes on the back of renewed criticism from the Minority, led by John Ntim Fordjour, who argued that recent developments tied to the constitutional review process point to possible attempts to introduce LGBTQ-related provisions into Ghana’s legal framework. The legislator, also a sponsor of the anti-LGBTQ bill, referenced portions of the Constitutional Review Committee’s report as the basis for his concerns.
The Minority subsequently called on the President and the governing National Democratic Congress to apologise to religious and traditional leaders, accusing the administration of failing to prioritise the passage of the bill after taking office.
However, speaking in an interview on JoyNews on Tuesday, Felix Kwakye Ofosu rejected the demand, questioning the justification behind it.
“What is there to apologise for?” he asked. “Are you saying that what matters most to Ghanaians is the LGBTQ issue and not their welfare? Is that what the New Patriotic Party is suggesting?”
He emphasised that the government’s focus remains on improving living standards, creating employment opportunities and stabilising the economy, rather than elevating what he described as a secondary issue.
“So the President should go and apologise for making the welfare of Ghanaians his top priority? Is that what they expect of him? Where is the logic in that?” he questioned.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu further criticised the opposition, describing their stance as a misplacement of priorities and insisting that urgent socio-economic challenges should take centre stage in national discussions.
“Why do they continue to expend energy in this manner? Should the President apologise for prioritising jobs for Ghana’s youth? Is that really what they expect?” he queried.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu also raised concerns about the timing of the Minority’s renewed push for the legislation, arguing that the issue did not appear to receive the same level of urgency when the New Patriotic Party was in government.
“Indeed, if it was truly a priority for them, why didn’t they sign it into law while in power? When exactly did it become so important—only after they left office?” he asked.
