Legal practitioner Adjei Tenkorang has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) caucus in Parliament of rushing the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill in pursuit of political gains, arguing that due process may not have been fully followed.

Speaking on Angel FM in Kumasi, Tenkorang claimed recent developments surrounding the bill have vindicated concerns previously raised by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

“The God of the former president is talking,” he remarked, suggesting that issues now being raised about the bill are similar to concerns that were expressed earlier.

According to the lawyer, Akufo-Addo had previously urged caution and sought legal clarification on whether aspects of the bill conflicted with constitutional human rights protections.

“When he asked them to wait and even took it to the Supreme Court because some of the provisions were against the human rights of people, the NDC claimed they had never heard anything like that before and continued applying pressure,” he said.

Tenkorang noted that President John Dramani Mahama has since raised concerns similar to those previously expressed by the former president.

“Now President Mahama is saying the same thing,” he stated.

The lawyer further argued that information emerging about the legislative process suggests the bill may never have formally reached the former president for assent, a view President Mahama affirmed.

“Now, we also know that the bill never got to former President Akufo-Addo,” he claimed.

According to him, this points to procedural requirements that may not have been completed before the legislation could be presented for presidential assent.

“That means there were some procedural things that were supposed to have been done before it was brought before him,” he said.

Tenkorang also referenced comments attributed to Mahama Ayariga, who reportedly expressed confidence that President Mahama would sign the bill if it were presented to him, a claim that conflicts with what the speaker has said.

“Mahama Ayariga has even claimed that he is pretty much sure that when the President returns from his trip, he will sign the bill,” he stated.

The lawyer questioned how Parliament proceeded with the matter, given that the Speaker had reportedly indicated it was still under consideration.

“In relation to Ayariga’s comment, the Speaker also has come out to say that the issue was just up for consideration, but how come they have gone to pass it?” he asked.

He suggested that the circumstances raise questions about whether the Speaker of Parliament was fully involved in the process.

“Meaning the Speaker was not aware of the situation, and they have passed it. So where were they rushing to? Was it for political gain?” He questioned.