Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, Founder and President of the Worldwide Miracle Outreach, has expressed his disappointment and frustration with his fellow clergymen and women over their silence on the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. Despite the bill’s passage by Parliament in February, the clergy has remained largely silent on the issue, much to Dr. Tetteh’s dismay.
Although the bill has been passed, it still requires President Akufo-Addo’s assent to be fully implemented. However, the President has stated that he cannot act on the bill until two pending lawsuits against it are resolved by the Supreme Court.
Dr. Tetteh has vowed to take action if President Akufo-Addo fails to assent to the bill after the Supreme Court’s endorsement. He has threatened to march to the seat of government to demand action on the bill, demonstrating his commitment to seeing it become law.
“I’ll march to the Jubilee House. I think it’s about time we let politicians know we voted them into power. The cowardice that Christian leaders and religious leaders have been reduced to is a shame and I’m embarrassed by some of our clergymen,” he said.
Join our WhatsApp Channel for more news
“As much as we are interested in our titles, in the big titles, and who we are and how long we’ve served, I’m yet to hear certain people speak against this matter. And for me, that is a shame. And so it starts from my home too,” he said in an audio recording sighted by The Accra Times.
Read Also: Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill: Supreme Court Adjourns Case Indefinitely, Orders Richard Sky to Submit New Motion
His stance on the issue highlights the ongoing debate and controversy surrounding the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. While some have praised the bill as a necessary measure to protect Ghanaian values and culture, others have criticised it as discriminatory and harmful to the LGBTQ+ community. The bill’s fate remains uncertain, pending the Supreme Court’s ruling and the President’s subsequent action.
He stressed that the silence of the clergymen on the matter is too loud, noting that the attitude of some clergymen to impress certain people in power must end.
“It starts from the clergymen. It starts from the religious clerics. It starts from the home of the Chief Iman. It starts with the Chairman of Christian Council. It starts from the Apostolic leaders. It starts from Apostolic fathers. It also starts from the Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Anglicans. But also, beyond that, it starts from the charismatic leaders,” he added
The clergyman joins the list of religious figures and organisations, putting pressure on the president to enact the legislation.
“We’ve been too quiet. And as much as we are grumbling, everybody wants to impress certain people and that nonsense, for me, must stop,” he said.
About the Anti-LGBTQ+ bill
Parliament of Ghana on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, passed the Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.
The bill prohibits Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) activities and criminalises their promotion, advocacy, and funding.
Persons caught in these acts face up to a three-year jail term, with promoters and sponsors facing a three- to five-year jail term.
President Akufo-Addo has stated that he would only take a decision on the bill after the suits against it are resolved by the Supreme Court.
