Rev Charles Owusu, a pastor who was critical of former President Akufo-Addo over the stalled Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill in previous years, has expressed disappointment in President John Dramani Mahama over his recent comments that the Anti-LGBTQ+ bill is not a priority at the moment.

The pastor indicated that, in light of the President’s position, he now feels compelled to apologise to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Speaking during an interview on Peace FM on April 10, 2026, Rev Owusu criticised the President’s stance, arguing that it reflects a lack of commitment to the Anti-LGBTQ+ bill.

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“The President has made it clear that the LGBTQ+ bill is not a priority for him,” he said.

He further argued that if the delay in passing the bill is being justified by the need to address challenges across various sectors, then similar reasoning should have been accepted during the tenure of former President Akufo-Addo.

“If Mahama is justifying the delay in the passage of the LGBTQ+ bill because he has to tackle problems across diverse sectors, then I think I should be saying sorry to Akufo-Addo,” he stated.

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Rev Owusu noted that when the bill stalled under Akufo-Addo, many, including politicians from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), criticised the former President despite the country facing similar challenges at the time.

He recalled that Akufo-Addo’s explanation that he had not signed the bill due to a lack of widespread agitation sparked public backlash, including from himself.
“I was very angry at the time,” he admitted.

However, the criticism directed at Akufo-Addo now appears inconsistent given the current position of Mahama.

Rev Owusu also pointed out that the NDC’s strong parliamentary majority should, in principle, make it easier for the bill to be passed and assented to.

“God, in His wisdom, granted Mahama an overwhelming victory in the 2024 election to allow him to pass important bills such as this one,” he said.

However, he expressed frustration that the President has deprioritised the legislation.

“President Mahama has disappointed those of us who supported him in previous years on this LGBTQ+ bill. Indeed, he hasn’t dealt well with us,” Rev Owusu said.

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President Mahama has disappointed those of us who support him with his comment that LGBTQ is not a priority — Rev. Charles Owusu #Kokrokoo

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