Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, has told President John Dramani Mahama that his pastor, the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Rev Wengam, won’t spare him should he fail to assent to the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
The Minister for Local Government detailed that, as Christian politicians, they are deeply guided by their spiritual leaders.
He argued that pressure from influential Christian leaders plays a key role in shaping decisions specifically pointing to General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Rev. Stephen Wengam.
Speaking on Adom FM Dwaso Nsem, Ahmed Ibrahim explained, “Christian politicians are being shepherded by our pastors, and we respect and listen to them”.
“Because if not, his pastor, the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Rev. Wengam, won’t spare him”.
“That was why Rev. Opuni and others were able to mount pressure on Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu… for the bill to be passed,” he noted.
He further assured that President John Dramani Mahama is prepared to sign the LGBTQI+ bill once it is passed by Parliament.
He added, “When I became Minister for Religious Affairs, I went to the Speaker of Parliament. The President had stated that when the NDC comes to power, he would make the bill a government-sponsored bill. The Speaker also agreed. But because it was a private member’s bill, Parliament should follow due process and pass it before it is presented to the President”.
“Some people say the President has rejected the bill or that it’s not a priority. That’s not true. The bill is currently before the Parliamentary, Constitutional, and Legal Committee, where both NDC and NPP MPs are represented. Once the committee completes its review, it will be passed to Parliament for approval, and the President will sign it”.
“Parliament is currently on recess and will resume next month. The Speaker has confirmed that by the end of this year, the bill is expected to be passed. So anyone claiming otherwise is spreading misinformation,” Ibrahim stressed.
Ahmed Ibrahim added, “Even when the stakes were high, and the President was at the UN for campaign matters, he affirmed that he is ready to sign the bill once Parliament passes it. There is no reason to be scared or misled.”
“By the end of this year, this will no longer be an issue. The bill will be passed and assented. We must focus on the legislative process and trust that it will be completed as planned”.
“I will urge calm among Ghanaians, and I want to assure them that the bill will be passed, and Mahama is also ready to assent it”.
“We need a united front and not to be distracted by any attempts to discourage us. We need to gather the momentum. I say anyone who says no government can sign the bill must be hooted at because President Mahama will do,” he declared.