By Bright Philip Donkor
Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, has made a fervent appeal to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to assent to the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill. Describing it as a critical step towards preserving African values and cultural identity, Dr. Kwakye framed the call as part of the Church’s ongoing commitment to the moral fiber of the nation.
He made the call during the church’s Bicentennial Anniversary launch held at the Osu Castle on Sunday, December 22, 2024, under the theme “PCG @200: Celebrating God’s Faithfulness and Impacting Generations Through the Gospel”.
Dr. Kwakye emphasised the Church’s unwavering support for the bill, citing this advocacy as a continuation of its steadfast stance under his predecessor. “For us as Presbyterians, having given the bill our support when the Church was led by our predecessor, we interpreted this as our birthday gift for this year,” he declared, highlighting the Church’s expectation for the President to affirm its importance with his signature.
Appeal
In what appeared to be a symbolic message, Dr. Kwakye urged the President to act swiftly, noting the limited time left in his tenure. “Your Excellency, make our joy complete by giving your assent to the bill so that it will become law in Ghana. Make our joy complete,” he stated.
The anti-LGBTQ+ bill, formally known as the “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill,” has been a subject of intense public and parliamentary scrutiny since it was introduced. While it has garnered substantial support from religious and traditional groups, opponents, including international organizations and human rights advocates, argue that its provisions could infringe on basic human freedoms and exacerbate discrimination.
Ghana’s cultural heritage
Dr. Kwakye grounded his appeal in a broader philosophical and theological context, citing the gospel’s role in safeguarding African values. “We seek to preserve the African people value through the gospel and are confident that with these last few weeks, you will do so and make our joy complete,” he added, stressing the need for action to ensure that Ghana remains rooted in its cultural and religious heritage.
Commendation
Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Nana Opare Kwakye also extended heartfelt gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for what he described as great and outstanding leadership during his tenure as the nation’s leader.
He lauded the President’s open-door policy, which had allowed for inclusivity and broad stakeholder engagement in the governance process.
The Moderator underscored that this approach had fostered constructive dialogue, enhanced accountability, and strengthened Ghana’s democratic credentials.
“We are grateful for your leadership, which has been characterized by openness and accessibility. Your willingness to engage diverse groups and stakeholders has been a hallmark of your governance and a model for leaders across the continent,” Rt. Rev. Dr. Opare Kwakye remarked.
Democratic principles
The Moderator also highlighted President Akufo-Addo’s efforts in safeguarding Ghana’s democratic integrity, particularly with regard to the organization of free, fair, and transparent 2024 general elections. According to Dr. Opare Kwakye, these achievements demonstrate the President’s commitment to upholding the democratic values that Ghana stands for.
“As we prepare for the constitutional transition of power in a few weeks, we take this opportunity to congratulate you on presiding over largely peaceful and credible elections. Your role in ensuring the integrity of this process will go down in history as a testament to your dedication to democratic governance,” he stated.
The Moderator further expressed optimism that the nation’s strong democratic ethos would continue to be safeguarded during and after the transition period.
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