Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu criticizes politicization of Ghana's Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill debates
via GhanaWeb4 min read
Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam, has expressed disappointment over the renewed political debates surrounding Ghana's Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on June 2, 2026, Sheikh Shaibu warned political actors against turning the bill into a partisan issue between the National Democratic Congress NDC and the New Patriotic Party NPP. He emphasized that there was already a national consensus on the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, with both political parties, religious bodies, and Parliament having previously debated and established their positions. His comments follow recent remarks by President John Dramani Mahama regarding the need to exhaust constitutional and legislative processes, and Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin's suggestion to re-examine the legislative text. Sheikh Shaibu argued that the bill's substance has undergone extensive scrutiny and should not be reopened for political maneuvering. He recalled that Parliament had previously passed the bill, but it failed to receive presidential assent due to legal processes. He had expected the current parliamentary session to treat the matter as a procedural formality to deliver the document to President Mahama, rather than seeing the front benches divided into hostile factions. Sheikh Shaibu reiterated that resistance to LGBTQ+ advocacy is rooted in Ghanaian culture and faith, representing core societal values, and should not be politicized.
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Retired Supreme Court Justice William Atuguba has criticized politicians for becoming inaccessible to the public after winning elections. Speaking at an event on July 18, 2026, Justice Atuguba observed that politicians are readily available to voters during campaigns, engaging in daily activities and presenting themselves as ordinary citizens to gain trust. However, he noted that once election results are announced and they assume office, they become difficult to reach, often not answering calls. Justice Atuguba questioned this change in behavior, stating, "What kind of life is this? Just a day before, we're all one. Today, victory has come, you have no… I mean, is that how it should be?" He emphasized that the relationship between politicians and the people should not end after elections, and public office holders must remain available to the citizens they serve.
Marvin Walker, a Ghanaian living abroad, claims he was wrongfully arrested and imprisoned in Ghana after declining to give money to a police officer. In a video, Walker recounted that the officer allegedly fabricated charges against him when he refused the demands. Despite court officials reportedly stating the officer's claims were untrue, Walker was remanded into custody. He credits his background as a US Marine and his brother being an FBI agent, along with local assistance and external calls, for his eventual release by the judge. Walker stated that he had been investing significantly in Ghana and encouraging other diasporans to return, expressing disappointment over the ordeal. After his release, he reported the incident through his lawyer to the Police Intelligence and Professional Standards Bureau PIPS, but claims no action has been taken against the officer. GhanaWeb has not independently verified the claims or the circumstances surrounding the incident, and there has been no official response from the Ghana Police Service.
The Minority in Parliament has urged the Mahama administration to stop the second prosecution of TikToker Camilla Alhassan and cease using what it terms "outdated laws" that criminalize free speech. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, speaking at a press conference on Friday, July 17, 2026, called for an immediate halt to all prosecutions under Sections 207 and 208 of the Criminal Offences Act, arguing these provisions are not suitable for a modern democracy. This follows an Accra Circuit Court sentencing the 43-year-old TikToker to one year in prison with hard labor for offensive conduct after she pleaded guilty to making derogatory remarks about President John Dramani Mahama in a TikTok video. Despite her conviction, the Ghana Police Service indicated she would face a separate charge of false communication under the Electronic Communications Act. Afenyo-Markin demanded the withdrawal of all pending prosecutions under Sections 207 and 208, including the second prosecution against Camilla Alhassan. The Minority also requested the release of individuals currently serving sentences under these provisions, citing the case of Kwame Nkrumah II. Furthermore, Afenyo-Markin urged Parliament to fast-track legislation to repeal the two sections, noting the Minority has already presented a bill to the House. He also appealed to President Mahama to instruct law enforcement agencies to stop prosecuting Ghanaians under these contested provisions. The Minority believes repealing these