Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, has reiterated President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to ensuring that Ghana’s human rights, moral values, and traditional principles are upheld in line with best democratic practices.
Speaking on the AM Show on Joy News, Mr. Kotoko said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) remains the only political tradition that has consistently balanced human rights protections with Ghana’s cultural and moral identity.
“If there is any government, any regime, and any president committed to upholding human rights and traditional values in line with best practice, it is the NDC and none other than President John Dramani Mahama,” he stated.
Mr. Kotoko’s comments come amid renewed public debate on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, popularly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
He expressed surprise that spokespersons of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have now admitted that President Akufo-Addo refused to sign the bill before leaving office, a move he described as politically and personally motivated.
“It was not only because of international pressure or the IMF. It was also about personal interests and connections; people close to them with financial power influencing decisions.” he said.
The Forestry Commission Deputy CEO argued that while there is nothing wrong with associating with individuals of diverse orientations, such relationships must not dictate Ghana’s public policy or compromise national values.
Mr. Kotoko assured Ghanaians that under President Mahama, the bill will receive the necessary attention and final passage in accordance with constitutional procedure.
“Whether the bill is re-laid, or already passed and awaiting assent, one thing is certain; in the lifetime of President Mahama’s tenure, this bill will be passed to restore our values, rights, and traditions,” he said.
He added that the failure of the previous administration to communicate its decision to Parliament after refusing to sign the bill was a breach of constitutional duty: “If a president refuses to assent, he must communicate the reasons to the Speaker of Parliament. That was never done. That’s part of the problem we’re fixing now,” he said.
Elikem Kotoko emphasised that Ghana’s renewed push to pass the bill is not about discrimination but about protecting the nation’s moral fabric, identity, and sovereignty.
“Ghanaians’ interest in this matter is so strong that it cannot be toyed with,” he said, adding that: “Nobody in this dispensation will front with any form of nonsense in the name of human rights. We must uphold our values.”
He assured that the NDC government under John Mahama would act decisively but lawfully to resolve the legislative impasse, safeguard human rights, and preserve the country’s traditional ethos: “This is not about politics, it’s about values, order, and the integrity of the Ghanaian identity.”
