The Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, says it is too early to accuse President John Dramani Mahama of failing to act on the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, insisting that the legislative process is still ongoing in Parliament.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, Baidoo explained that the bill has not yet reached the stage where the president can make a decision, and, therefore, criticisms of inaction are misplaced.

His comments come in response to concerns raised by the Minority, led in part by Rev John Ntim Fordjour, who alleged that proposals within the Constitutional Review Committee’s report could open the door to LGBTQ+ related provisions being introduced into Ghana’s constitution.

I will resign if Mahama fails to sign anti-LGBTQ+ bill after passage - Sukparu

The Minority has also called on the president and the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to apologise to religious and traditional leaders for what they describe as a failure to prioritise the bill.

But Baidoo disagrees, arguing that the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is not in a position to criticise the current administration on the matter.

“They are the last to talk about LGBTQ+ because they disappointed us. Let Parliament complete its work. Because of the separation of powers, the president cannot dictate to Parliament what to do,” he said.

He emphasised that under Ghana’s democratic system, the president cannot interfere in parliamentary processes and must wait until the bill is fully passed and presented to him.

“What is the president expected to do at this moment? Parliament is still working on it. When they are done, and the bill is presented to him, then he can make a decision. If he refuses to sign, then he can be called out,” Bernard said.

According to him, it is only fair to assess the president’s commitment once the bill reaches his desk, maintaining that no promise has been broken at this stage.

“At the moment, he has not breached any promise yet,” he stressed.

Baidoo further pointed to the previous administration under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, accusing it of missing an opportunity to assent to the bill when it had the chance.

He explained that although the legislative process had been completed, the former president chose not to sign the bill due to pending court cases, and even after those issues were resolved in December 2024, the bill was not assented to before the end of his tenure.

Based on this, Bernard Baidoo believes calls for an apology from President John Dramani Mahama are premature, insisting that any accountability should only come after Parliament completes its work and the bill is formally presented for assent.

“The president will not apologise as they are demanding,” he insisted.

NA/AE