An aide to former President John Mahama has called on government and relevant stakeholders to enact laws that will deal with issues relating to Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI+) in the country.

Joyce Bawah Mogtari who was speaking on Joy News' Newsfile Saturday, noted that issues concerning LGBTQI+ have been sidelined for far too long.

Thus, time has come for the nation to legislate the act to clearly indicate its stance.

"I think it is time for us to stop paying lip-service to that matter. It is time for the executive, legislature, and key stakeholders to come together and find a way to put this matter to sleep.

"I think the only way is to find a way either through public policy, through legislation, through enactment whatever [to deal with the LGBTQI+ issue]," she told Newsfile host Samsom Lardy.

Commenting on the Criminal Offence Act that frowns on unnatural carnal knowledge, the Aide said, the legislation is not "cast and iron".

In her view, the Act as stipulated by the law can be interpreted interchangeably, as such, reviewing the law which will clearly state what is wrong or right on the matter will bring the whole issue to a close.

"Our constitution grants us all sorts of freedoms on the basis of religion, creed, gender, and what have you so that definitely has a certain wide connotation.

"So we cannot necessarily go into the minds of the framers of that particular portion of the legislation and find out why they arrived at this conclusion. So I think certainly, it is time for us to end the debate and put it to rest."

Discussion on LGBTQ+ was revived after advocates of the group commissioned their office space at an unknown location in the country. 

During the recent ministerial vetting, some minister-designates were questioned about their views on the subject. 

The Minister-Designate for Gender, Madam Adwoa Safo said during vetting that the illegality of homosexuality is non-negotiable.

“The issue of LGBTQI is an issue that when mentioned creates some controversy but what I want to say is that our laws are clear on such practices. It makes it criminal.”

“On the issue of its criminality, it is non-negotiable on the issue of cultural acceptance and norms too. These practices are also frowned upon,” she stated emphatically.

The minister-designate for information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah further suggested the need for a law to ban LGBTQI advocacy in the country.

For the Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister-designate, Ebenezer Kum said he was against LGBTQ+ and will urge cabinet not to encourage it.