Ghana's Parliament Explodes at Gay Couple Kissing
- nathan334
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
ACCORDING TO MP'S - THE KISS CALLS FOR URGENT PASSAGE OF THE BILL
AHRC - June 28, 2025
In Ghana' this video indicates the Clash of members of Parliament in Ghana over Viral Photos of a Queer couple kissing at Independence Monument: A heated debate unfolded in Ghana’s Parliament on Friday, June 27, as MPs sparred over viral photos of a South African gay couple kissing at the Independence Monument, reigniting tensions around the reintroduced anti-LGBTQ+ bill. Deputy Minority Whip Iddrisu Habib criticized the Mahama administration’s silence on the matter, questioning its stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
Ghana recently reintroduced the previously passed Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill (2024) . The latter was delayed and never signed into law by the prior President Akufo-Addo , and used as a campaign tool by the newly elected current President Mahama, with the promise that he would sign such legislation. The Bill has now been reintroduced as a Private member Bill and is going through Parliamentary process, with further confusion and delay. Speaking on the parliamentary floor, he challenged Majority MPs, who had previously championed the bill while in opposition, for their apparent inaction. “Three days ago, two men were kissing at the Independence Square. There are videos and pictures to that effect. And you are pretending as if you haven’t seen it,” Habib stated, questioning whether the government now supports LGBTQ+ rights. Tamale North MP Alhassan Suhuyini responded, defending the Majority’s commitment and expressing regret that the initial bill, passed under former President Nana Akufo-Addo, was not signed into law. “If it had passed, perhaps the Independence Square kissing would have been unlawful, and the people would have been arrested,” Suhuyini noted, assuring the House that Parliament is prepared to act decisively when the reintroduced bill is tabled. First Deputy Speaker Hon. Bernard Ahiafor fired back at Habib, pointing out that the Akufo-Addo administration, supported by the Minority, failed to assent to the bill. He noted that the anti-LGBTQ+ bill was not scheduled for debate by the Business Committee and challenged Habib to introduce a new private member’s bill. “Your government failed to sign it into law,” Ahiafor retorted. The images, which have sparked significant online backlash, have intensified discussions on cultural values, national symbols, and LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana. The photos feature a couple, Rue and Lue, who shared them as part of their #ShowGhanaLove campaign to stand in solidarity with queer Ghanaians following the reintroduction of the 'Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.' The photos, picked and shared by Kofi Okyere-Darko (KOD), Director of Diaspora Affairs, before being deleted amid controversy, have fueled calls for stricter laws. Ningo-Prampram MP Hon. Samuel Nartey George, a vocal advocate for the bill, has also demanded that law enforcement acts against the two for disrespecting Ghanaian values. As Parliament gears up to reconsider the bill, which seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ identities, activities, advocacy, and funding, the incident highlights the politicization of LGBTQI+ people - between competing parties. It also shows the clash between cultural norms on the Continent itself as South Africa has long adopted Constitutional full equality for LGBTQI+ people, while Ghana, by a vast majority of populous and Parliamentarians seek harsher criminalization laws for LGBTQI+ people.
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KISS CAUSES OUTRAGE:
KOD Condemns Viral Photos at Independence Monument, Questions Security Oversight Kofi Okyere-Darko, popularly known as KOD and the Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, has addressed the controversy surrounding viral photos of a South African gay couple kissing at Ghana’s Independence Monument. Speaking on Adom TV on June 25, 2025, KOD expressed concern over the incident, emphasizing that while photography is permitted at the monument, prior permission is required, and security personnel are stationed to oversee activities KOD questioned whether the security officials at Black Star Square were aware of the nature of the photographs being taken, suggesting that they likely did not notice the couple’s actions. “I don’t believe the security personnel in the area were aware of the photo-taking,” he stated. While clarifying that he personally has no issue with same-sex relationships, KOD stressed that public displays of such relationships at a national monument were inappropriate and contrary to Ghanaian cultural norms. “Putting it there publicly was very wrong, and Ghana doesn’t accept such practices,” he added. The photos, featuring a light-skinned man in a red and black suit and a dark-skinned man in a red shirt and leather shorts, were initially shared by KOD on social media to express his disapproval. However, he deleted the post within an hour after it sparked backlash. Despite the deletion, the images had already spread widely, drawing attention from political opponents and anti-LGBTQ+ advocates who used them to fuel online criticism. KOD revealed that his office has notified the police about the incident to trace the individuals in the photographs plans to hold a meeting to address the matter further. The controversy has reignited debates over cultural values and the enforcement of regulations at national monuments, with some calling for stricter oversight at such sites. Sources: Adom TV
Uproar and politicization a Tourists from South Africa , a Gay Couple Kissing at Monument:Assin South MP Rev. Fordjour blasts gay couple’s #ShowGhanaLove kiss at Independence Square as “desecration.” Slams NDC’s “leniency” and demands anti-LGBTQ+ bill passage
Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South, has condemned a South African gay couple’s kiss at Ghana’s Independence Square, calling it a “desecration” of a sacred national monument. In an X post on June 26, Fordjour criticized the couple’s #ShowGhanaLove campaign, accusing the Mahama-led NDC government of “leniency” on LGBTQ+ issues that emboldens such acts.
“They defy the dignity and sanctity of our Ghanaian values right before our eyes,” he wrote, urging swift passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill to “end this absurdity.” The controversial bill, which seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ advocacy and activities, awaits a final vote in Parliament amid heated public debate.
The MP’s Comments show Parliamentarian reactions and how this activism and assertion of rights serve a backlash and strengthens the Ghanian promotion of the New anti-LGBT legislation, while also politicizing the event against the Mahama administration.
