A political scientist at the University of Ghana, Dr Joshua Zaato, has criticised former President Nana Akufo-Addo for failing to assent to the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-LBGTQ bill, before leaving office.

According to Dr Zaato, the former President’s refusal to sign the bill into law was a major political misstep that contributed to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) poor performance in the last general elections.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Dr Zaato said the President had “no business” withholding his signature from a bill that had already been passed by Parliament.

“What’s wrong when he did not signing this into power? Akufo-Addo was wrong. And this — by not signing this thing — also contributed to the massive loss of the NPP in the last elections,” he stated.

He added that once the bill had gone through Parliament, the President had two constitutional options — either to sign it or refer it back to the House with specific concerns.

“There are two things: you identify that there are constitutional challenges, you do your part, and you stand in it. If I were the President, I would have held a huge grand affair at the South Wing of the Jubilee House,” Dr Zaato remarked.

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which seeks to criminalise same-sex relationships and related advocacy, remains one of the most contentious legislative issues in Ghana’s recent history.

Dr Zaato’s comments come amid renewed controversy in Parliament after the bill’s reintroduction hit a snag when it was removed from this week’s Order Paper, with MPs trading blame over the delay.