I know pastors who avoid condemning LGBTQ+ for fear of being denied U.S or UK Visas - Rev. Lawrence Tetteh

Ghanaian televangelist and philanthropist Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh has claimed that some senior men of God are hesitant to publicly condemn LGBTQ+ activities because they fear being denied American or British visas for doing so.

Speaking in an interview with GHOne TV, as monitored by Ghanaweb, Rev. Dr. Tetteh, who is also the Chaplain of the Ghana Christian Council of the UK and Ireland, stated that he will continue to fearlessly and publicly denounce actions that he deems wrong and reprehensible.

He added that he will not remain silent on conduct that Ghanaian culture disapproves of, emphasizing that he does not require any favors, such as a visa to travel to the United Kingdom.

"I would be very naive if I said to myself that I have to be put in a particular box. By the grace of God, what other people need so much that they align themselves with a political party, I don't need anymore. I am not looking for a Land Cruiser; I have one. I am not looking for a house; God has blessed me. I don't need a visa to travel to the UK; I am a resident of the UK. It is no secret—I married there, my children were born there, and they are British. My siblings are all British citizens. So, I am not in a hurry to persuade, cajole, or lie to someone to receive favors. I speak my mind, and sometimes we must speak our minds because that is how we can help people."

Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh further stated: "In fact, I know some pastors in Ghana who cannot speak against some of these issues because they are scared they will not get American or British visas. Unfortunately, certain seasoned men of God, whose voices you would expect to carry far, remain silent. That is why I am very happy that at least we know that if President-elect John Mahama does not sign the anti-LGBTQI bill, we can hold the Assemblies of God Church responsible."

On December 18, 2024, the Supreme Court dismissed two separate cases challenging the legality of anti-LGBT legislation, paving the way for the president to sign it into law.

Parliament unanimously approved the bill in February. It increases a crackdown on the rights of LGBT people and those promoting lesbian, gay or other non-conventional sexual or gender identities.

However, President Nana Akufo-Addo delayed signing it pending the challenges filed at the Supreme Court.

Amanda Odoi and Richard Sky, both lawyers, filed separate challenges to the bill, seeking to declare it illegal and prevent the president from signing it.

Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, from the seven-member panel court, said in the televised ruling that the cases were premature.

"Until there's presidential assent, there is no act," she said, adding the two cases were "unanimously dismissed".

Gay sex was already punishable by up to three years in prison before this legislation. The bill now also imposes a prison sentence of up to five years for the "willful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities".

I know pastors in Ghana who could not speak out against LGBTQ+ because they were scared they wouldn't get American or British visas... - Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh #GHOneNews #EIBNetwork #GHOneTV #NewsAlert #CAFShouldPaySpiky pic.twitter.com/VgkTSegFSF

— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) December 30, 2024

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