President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has given the strongest indication yet that same-sex marriage would not be legalised in Ghana, not when he remains the country’s president.

The President’s pronouncement comes in the wake of debate over LGBTQ rights in the country following the opening and closing of an LGBT advocacy office in Ashongman.

The executive arm of government has come under pressure to come clear and state its position on activities of persons who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer. (LGBTQ+)

“For same-sex marriage to be legalized in Ghana, it will not happen in my time as President”, Akufo-Addo stated emphatically.

President Akufo-Addo made the remark at the St. Micheal and All Angels Cathedral in Asante Mampong during the installation of the Second Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Ghana.

“I have said it before, and let me stress it again, that it will not be under the Presidency of Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo that same-sex marriage will be legal”, he stressed.

The issue of homosexual is a big thing in Ghana with many showing strong disapproval for it in the midst of intensive pressure from the Western world for Ghana to legalize the activities of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ).

National security forces raided and shut down the office of an LGBTQ rights group in Ashongman after politicians and religious leaders called for its closure.

Minister-designate for gender, children and social protection, Sarah Adwoa Safo, during her vetting stated that “the issue of the criminality of LGBT is non-negotiable and our cultural practices also frown on it”.

There is no legislation in Ghana explicitly prohibiting homosexuality, but gay sex is criminalized, with offenders potentially facing up to 25 years in prison.