President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo could have used the meeting with US Vice President Kamala Harris to state clearly that Ghana would not entertain any expression of homosexuality, but he failed, as Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, has said.

He said the president goofed.

Speaking on the News 360 with Martin Asiedu Darteh, Sam George, who is one of the sponsors of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, popularly known as the Anti-Gay Bill, said, “First, I thought President Akufo-Addo would have used this opportunity to send a clear message to the world and the country that his fidelity is to the Ghanaian people. Based on the 1992 Constitution that he swore an oath to uphold, he would have sent a clear message that Ghana is not going to entertain any expressions of homosexuality.

“Second, it was known that this would be a topic, and I expected that he would have shown he was on top of his brief. On the two points, President Akufo-Addo goofed and failed.

“The president doesn’t know what he is talking about, the bill has not substantially changed, the bill remains as tough and rigid as it was. The focus of the bill has not changed, and the objective has not changed.”

 At the time of his remarks, President Akufo Addo had already distanced himself from the Anti-Gay Law.

The anti-gay measure, which was put out as a private members' bill, is anticipated to make some of the gays' activities illegal in Ghana.

President Akufo-Addo responded to a query that was directed at him at the Jubilee House on Monday, March 27, when US Vice President Kamala Harris visited him. He confirmed that the bill is presently before Parliament, which will decide on it, but that the majority of its provisions are still being adjusted.

“It hasn’t been passed, so the statement that there is legislation to that effect in Ghana is not accurate,” he said.

“Parliament is dealing with it and at the end of the process, I will come in,” he added.

“For the American press who are here, you know that a great deal of work in my career has been to address human rights issues, equality issues across the globe, including as well as the LGBTQ community, and I feel very strongly about the importance of supporting freedom and supporting and fighting for quality among all people.”

President Akufo-Addo welcomed Vice President Harris to Accra as part of her three-day visit to the country.

She made it clear how strongly she feels that it is imperative to fight for the cause of human rights, including the rights of LGBTQ people.