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A private legal practitioner, Akoto Ampaw, has said that his views on LGBTQ matters are not reflective of his affiliation with that of President Akufo-Addo and his government.
Speaking on Angel FM’s Anopa Bofo Morning Show on Tuesday, he said that “these provisions that criminalize various aspects of LGBTQ rights and activities are clearly in violation of our constitution especially those provisions of the constitution that guarantees our fundamental human rights”.
The veteran lawyer is also part of fifteen academics and civil society professionals who are challenging the anti-gay legislation currently before parliament.
His known affiliation with the New Patriotic Party when he headed President Akufo-Addo’s legal team to defend his win in the 2020 election petition, together with his position on LGBTQ matters has created the impression that his views on the subject are shared by the president.
However, Lawyer Ampaw, has refuted such assumptions saying that the president, together with his government, is not in sync with his [Akoto Ampaw’s] views on LGBTQ and related matters.
“I am an independent person with my own ideas, rights and activities which have nothing to do with, excuse me to say, the president. So, it is simply misconstrued for people to relate this [LGBTQ] matter that I am involved in with the president”
He added that despite the president being his good and respected friend he does not live his life to please the former.
“I don’t depend on the president to make a living and so I can say and do whatever I like at any time… I don’t refrain from doing certain things because I think the president of Ghana will not be happy… People should therefore focus on the issues…”
According to the lawyer, he is neither a ‘vehicle’ for the president’s policies nor does he approve of every activity under President Akufo-Addo’s government.
