A political Analyst has dismissed claims that the debate over LGBTQ+ rights led to the New Patriotic Party’s defeat in Ghana’s 2024 general election, urging party leaders to accept responsibility and reflect on broader governance challenges.
Dr Jonathan Asante Otchere, a senior lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, criticised what he described as attempts within the party to attribute the loss to external narratives rather than internal shortcomings.
Speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana, he said, “It is misplaced to suggest that the LGBTQ+ debate alone caused the NPP’s defeat. That argument overlooks the real concerns of voters.”
He argued that some figures within the party were struggling to come to terms with the outcome of the election, instead pointing to propaganda and public discourse as decisive factors.
“They are refusing to accept the verdict of the people,” he said. “You cannot reduce a national election to a single issue when there were clear economic and governance concerns.”
Dr Otchere pointed to tensions within government prior to the election, including calls by some members of parliament for the resignation of the finance minister, as evidence of deeper structural problems.
“Those issues mattered to voters,” he said. “The economy, cost of living, and internal disagreements played a far greater role.”
He warned that continued attempts to deflect blame could damage the party’s credibility. “If the party does not reflect honestly, it risks weakening itself further in opposition,” he added.
Turning to Government Spokesperson’s recent comment on the LGBTQ+ issue, he described recent messaging from the communications ministry as inconsistent, saying it risked creating confusion about national priorities.
“There appears to be miscommunication, and that can send the wrong signals to the public,” he said. “People are concerned about roads, food, and livelihoods. Communication must be clear and focused.”
On the ongoing debate over anti LGBTQ+ legislation, Dr Otchere noted that President John Mahama had previously raised concerns about the economic and diplomatic implications of such policies.
“He has indicated that these decisions come with costs to the state,” he said, adding that the president had favoured government sponsored legislation over private members’ bills to ensure proper consideration of those implications.
However, he pointed out that the current bill before Parliament originated as a private members’ initiative and has already made significant progress, with strong backing from parliamentary leadership.
“This process has involved both sides of the House,” he said. “It shows there is broad political support, even as debate continues about its wider impact.”
Dr Otchere concluded that political actors should focus less on assigning blame and more on addressing the underlying issues that influence voters.
“The message from the electorate was clear,” he said. “Leaders must listen and respond to the real concerns of the people.”
