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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGhana religious leaders criticize Mahama\u2019s stance that education, health and jobs are more important than prosecuting LGBTQ people<\/p>\n
Four pastors who have reacted to President Mahama\u2019s comments on LGBTQ+ issues. (Photos courtesy of GhanaWeb)
\nGhana President Mahama is taking heat from lawmakers after he said that passing the latest draconian anti-LGBT bill is \u201cnot a priority\u201d for his government, given real challenges around education, health care, and jobs. Religious leaders are accusing him of backtracking on promises made to fight LGBTQ people during the election he won in 2024.
\nThis is an edited version of an article that was published by GhanaWeb:
\nSpeaking at a Presidential Dialogue with Civil Society Organisations at Jubilee House on March 30, President Mahama described the LGBTQ+ topic as sensitive and emotionally charged, urging a calm and respectful national conversation on the issue.
\n\u201cI explained during my recent engagement with the World Affairs Council that it is not the most important issue we face as a nation.
\n\u201cWe are still grappling with the provision of basic needs of education, healthcare, jobs, food, clothing, and shelter,\u201d he added.
\nHe said that his government seeks to address core socioeconomic challenges to improve living conditions for citizens before tackling other issues.
\nHowever, his comments appear not to have been well received by some religious leaders.
\nApostle Agyemang Okoh Agyemang
\nFirst on the list is the Founder and Leader of the Living Yahweh 7th Day Sabbath Assemblies, Apostle Okoh Agyemang.
\nOkoh says that while he was in opposition and seeking power, the president promised Ghanaians that he would sign the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. He cannot understand why progress has stalled since President Mahama assumed office.
\n\u201cHe is joking with the LGBTQ+ issue; the same topic that made us like him. The NPP made the same mistake and we criticised them,\u201d he says.
\nOkoh condemned the president\u2019s recent statement that LGBTQ+ is not a priority for Ghanaians at this moment.
\nSpeaking to his congregation during the Easter Sunday Service on April 5, he insisted that because Mahama had promised Ghanaians, he must ensure the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
\n\u201cWe have fought about this issue in this country. We believed that when you came into power, you would sign the bill. We don\u2019t want any long talk. What I want to ask is, who even advised the president about his recent comment?
\n\u201cA university revoked your award because of LGBTQ+ and you gained fame from that. Why then would you come out to say this? Do you want people to think you are unhappy the bill is in Parliament? We will never agree to LGBTQ+,\u201d he said.
\nProphet Oduro
\nThe Founder of the Alabaster International Ministries, Prophet Kofi Oduro, has also reiterated his strong opposition to LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana.
\nSpeaking to his congregants on April 5, the outspoken preacher said he has consistently maintained his opposition even before the current government assumed office.
\n\u201cFour weeks ago, at Alabaster City at the F5 service, I looked in the camera and told the Jubilee House even before our president went on his trip, and I said no matter who is in government, LGBTQ+ will never be accepted in our country. I don\u2019t care who is in the Jubilee House,\u201d he said.
\n\u2018What do Ghanaians gain if LGBTQ+ becomes top priority?\u2019 \u2013 Rev Bansah
\nRev Opuni-Frimpong
\nAnother religious leader who has reacted to the president\u2019s comments is Rev Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana.
\n See Also<\/p>\n
He\u2019s urging him to make the LGBTQ+ a top priority on his government\u2019s agenda.
\nSpeaking in an interview on Dwaso Nsem on Adom FM on April 1, he argued that the debate is not merely political, but one that touches on the nation\u2019s moral conscience, describing it as a \u201cmatter of the heart\u201d that deserves urgent attention.
\n\u201cFor the sake of trust and confidence that Ghanaians had in him, the president must make the LGBTQ+ Bill a priority and honour his promise to Ghanaians,\u201d he said.
\nRev Canon Dr Confidence Bansah
\nNot all religious leaders are critical of Mahama\u2019s stance on the LGBTQ bill.
\nRev Canon Dr Confidence Bansah, Founder of the Centre for Religion and Public Life and lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, has questioned the relevance of prioritising LGBTQ+ legislation at a time when many Ghanaians are grappling with economic hardship.
\nAccording to him, it is misplaced for policymakers to dedicate time and public resources to debating the controversial bill while ordinary citizens face rising living costs and limited access to essential services.
\nRev Bansah also criticised Members of Parliament sponsoring the bill, accusing them of being disconnected from the realities of their constituents.
\n\u201cWould LGBTQ+ law put food and drink on our table, pay people\u2019s school fees, supply hospitals with equipment and drugs, construct roads or create jobs for the youth?\u201d he said.
\nIn a social media post on April 2, 2026, Rev Bansah challenged the government to refocus its attention on issues that directly affect citizens\u2019 livelihoods, including poverty, healthcare, education and job creation.
\n\u201cMust the president be remembered for LGBTQ+ laws or the prosperity and development of the nation?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n