Claim:John Mahama promises to endorse LGBTQ+ practice
Source: Viral video
Verdict: FALSE
Researched by David Yovo-Ofori
Did former President John Mahama hint at plans to endorse the practice of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) in Ghana during a VOA interview?
A short video clip of an interview between Voice of America’s (VOA) Haydé Adam and John Mahama has resurfaced on the internet with the claim that the former President said he would endorse LGBTQ+ practice when elected.
In the video currently circulating online, the voices of Haydé Adam and John Mahama have been muted, while a voice-over of a man can be heard speaking an indigenous Ghanaian Language –Twi and making some claims.
A screenshot of the short video clip posted on TikTok
According to the narrator, the former President said: “In Ghana, all we need is money to survive, so as people are vocal about the LGBTQ+ issue, I will endorse it so that it can bring in investors and strengthen the good partnerships we have with the whites so they can help us with aid.”
How true is the claim?
Fact-check
An online search led GhanaFact to the full 19minutes and 27seconds long interview between John Mahama and Haydé Adam, posted by VOA on its verified YouTube channel on October 12, 2022.
After thoroughly listening to the full interview, GhanaFact found the former President did not make the statement as portrayed in the short clip.
Additionally, there was no mention or question relating to the LGBTQ+ subject throughout the interview.
During the interview, former President John Mahama spoke on the challenges facing the Ghanaian economy, proposing changes to Ghana’s constitution and the strengthening of state institutions.
GhanaFact in the past has debunked a claim attributed to the former President after the VOA interview in 2023.
