The Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has pledged to secure Ghana’s Free Senior High School (SHS) programme with a dedicated funding source, dismissing claims that he would end the initiative if elected in 2024.
His comments come after both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and NDC have made assurances regarding the future of Free SHS.
Mahama emphasised that his approach would focus on funding stability to enhance the quality and accessibility of education nationwide.
Speaking to Christian leaders in Kumasi on Monday, November 11, Mahama underscored the importance of maintaining and improving Free SHS, describing recent accusations that he plans to abolish the policy as a ‘political gimmick’ aimed at misleading voters.
“Free SHS has come to stay. It increased access to education, but we must secure its funding to guarantee its continuation,” he stated.
The Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has made a strong appeal to the clergy to step up efforts in campaigning against LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana.
Mahama also expressed concerns about the potential impact of LGBTQ+ practices on Ghanaian youth, stressing that such activities could have harmful effects on society’s younger generations.
He pledged that, should he assume office in the 2024 elections, he would prioritise efforts to counter LGBTQ+ influences in the country.
The former President described the practice, which is more widely accepted in some parts of the world, as a taboo within the Ghanaian cultural and moral landscape.
Mahama questioned why Western nations seem willing to pressure countries like Ghana to adopt policies that accept LGBTQ+ activities, while refraining from making similar demands on Arabian and other culturally conservative regions.
He urged the clergy to continue educating the public on the issue, stating that the country’s values and traditions must be preserved amidst these pressures.
“Christians, smaller gods, Muslims, Imams, have all expressed their objection against LGBTQ+ because it’s against our traditions and customs. Even in the eastern world not all of them are in support of the practice. In America. the Evangelical Church they don’t approve of the LGBTQ+ activities. However, their government has been pushing for the promotion of the bill in Ghana and some parts of the world.
“But that pressure is not mounted in Araba countries but only African countries, because we go to them to beg for aid. Hence the power they have over us. When they go to Saudi Arabia, they are mute on this topic, because, it’s haram.
“For us as Christians, it’s taboo for a man to have sexual intimacy with a man and a woman doing the same with a woman. Talk less about marrying. Let’s all try to fight against LGBTQ+ so that our children are not inculcated with the practice.”
He expressed apprehension that the Anti-LGBTQ+ bill would not be passed before the rise of the 8th parliament.
On October 17, the Supreme Court granted an additional seven days to the lawyers of the Speaker of Parliament to file their statement of defence in the ongoing suit challenging the bill.
The defendants in the case, the Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney General missed the deadline for the submission of their defenses.
On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, the bill that criminalizes LGBTQ+ activities, as well as their promotion, advocacy, and funding, was passed.
Those found guilty could face a jail term ranging from six months to three years, while those promoting and sponsoring the act could face a jail term between three and five years.
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