Tongues are wagging over an incredibly widespread belief that some clergymen are showing hypocritical tendencies towards the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly referred to as an anti-LGBTQ+ or homosexuality Bill in Ghana.
These ‘Men of God’ were extremely vocal and publicly expressed their opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, making it a topic for a political campaign with a hostile demands that President Nana Akufo-Addo should sign the bill, which was passed by Parliament with a number of provisions described by some human rights and constitutional lawyers as unconstitutional.
They all preached incessantly against LGBTQ+ in their Churches under the previous government.
However, more than 15 months under President John Dramani Mahama’s presidency, the hitherto vociferous clergymen have softened their stance under the current dispensation, changing remarkably like camouflaged chameleons, apparently to blend into their new political environment.
They have either suddenly gone dumb (known in Ghanaian parlance as ‘mumu’) or they have watered down their viewpoint on the LGBTQ+ matters.
As a result, all well-meaning Ghanaians are beginning to question whether they were engaging in genuine advocacy against LGBTQ+ or they were simply on a contrived mission for regime change, as some of them have either been appointed by President Mahama or their children have received juicy appointments in government.
Among these clergymen were the President of Worldwide Miracle Outreach Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, Founder of Perez Charpel International ‘Archbishop’ Charles Agyin-Asare and General Superintendent of Assemblies of God Church Rev. Stephen Yenusom Wengham.
The rest were Senior Pastor of Alabaster International Ministry ‘Prophet’ Kofi Oduro, Founder and Apostle General of Royalhouse Chapel International Rev. Sam Korankye Ankrah; and Deputy Imam of the Ahlussuna Wal Jamaa in Ghana Sheikh Mohammed Kamil Samudeen.
Proverbs 10:9 says “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”
It appears the true colours of these men of God are being gradually exposed, which smacks of hypocrisy that both the Bible and the Qur’an strongly abhor.
Dr Lawrence Tetteh’s comments under President Akufo-Addo
Dr Lawrence Tetteh vowed to march to the seat of government if President Akufo-Addo did not sign the LGBTQ Bill.
“I’ll march to the Jubilee House. I think it’s about time we make politicians know we voted them into power.
“The cowardice that Christian leaders and religious leaders have been reduced to is a shame and I’m embarrassed by some of our clergymen.
“As much as we are interested in our titles, in the big titles, and who we are and how long we’ve served, I’m yet to hear certain people speak against this matter. And for me, that is a shame..”, he stated in the lead up to the 2024 general election.
Dr. Lawrence Tetteh’s statement under President Mahama
Speaking on TV3 recently, Dr Lawrence Tetteh appeared to have moved away from his own stance and strong commit to anti-LGBTQ+.
“I am appealing to the politicians not to politicise this homosexuality issue. Because, if we don’t take care, in our bid to be politically right, we will be offending people who loves us dearly. I have a saying that the people who love you, you don’t hurt them.
“Let’s know that even the traditionalist, our kings and chiefs are also against it. So, let’s find a place in our heart to make sure this bill doesn’t become like what it did the last time. I wish President Mahama well, he is somebody that I will not hide away from. I know him very well, he is my good friend.
“I have his number, and I am not ashamed to say I have his number, in fact, he is my big brother. I am praying that God helps him to get the people around him to build him into that capacity to come around and know that the Assembly of God’s God that he serves will protect him regardless of the situation.
“And the same God has been his source of inspiration, will be his hope for the days to come,” Dr Tetteh prayed.
LGBTQ+ has satanic agenda to upset — Sam Korankye Ankrah
Under the Akufo-Addo government, Apostle General of Royalhouse Chapel International, Sam Korankye Ankrah argued the LGBTQ+ community has a “satanic” agenda to upset the word of God.
“This thing is getting dangerous by the day. This thing is a satanic agenda to overturn the Bible and to overturn the word of God and I believe to overturn the Qu’ran also because this simple belief: God made man and woman, cuts across every religion,” he told his church congregation in 2021.
According to him, the promoters of that spectrum of sexuality are now targeting children in Africa because they have realised that the old folks are set in their ways.
Catholic, Methodist Bishops are voices of conscience
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana, Prof. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu have been consistent and vocal voices against LGBTQ+, demanding swift passage and assent to the Bill.
They recently condemned claims by President Mahama and his presidential spokesperson and Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye-Ofosu that the Bill was no longer important even though they promised, while in opposition, to make it a topmost priority in government.
They rejected suggestions that national discussions on family values and LGBTQ+ issues are inconsequential.
The Bishops urged President to honour his earlier commitment to assent to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill if passed by Parliament.
In a statement dated April 10 and signed by Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of Sunyani and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Bishops referenced reports that the President, speaking at the World Affairs Council, described LGBTQ+ matters as “not the most important issue we face as a nation.”
The Minister was also cited as saying such issues are “not a major priority for Ghanaians” and characterising the debate as a “waste of time.”
“Even if intended to prioritise urgent socio-economic concerns, such descriptions risk conveying that certain moral questions may be set aside as inconsequential.
“Yet no question that touches the structure of human identity, family life, and social continuity can be trivial. Nations do not live by bread alone,” the Bishops stated.
Ethics and development intertwined
The Bishops dismissed what they termed a false divide between economic priorities and moral considerations, arguing that strong family systems are closely tied to improved educational outcomes, lower crime rates and enhanced economic mobility.
“To weaken the moral ecology of the family is to erode the very conditions that make sustainable development possible,” the statement read.
The Bishops reaffirmed two principles: the inherent dignity of every individual, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, and the responsibility of society to uphold the family as founded on the union of a man and a woman.
“No individual, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, may be subjected to violence, hatred, or unjust discrimination. Such acts are moral failures and social wounds. We condemn them without reservation,” they said.
Call to honour presidential assurance
On the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, the Bishops recalled the President’s earlier public assurance that he would assent to it if duly passed through constitutional processes.
“Democratic integrity rests, in part, on the fidelity of leaders to their publicly stated commitments. Should Parliament complete its deliberations and pass the Bill, we urge the President to honour this assurance,” they said.
They also acknowledged that some provisions of the Bill have raised legitimate concerns, calling for thorough parliamentary scrutiny and possible refinement.
