The New Patriotic Party has intensified calls for swift parliamentary action on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, urging President John Dramani Mahama to prioritise the legislation.
At a press briefing in Accra, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, Member of Parliament for Assin South and a prominent supporter of the bill, emphasised that the Ninth Parliament should expedite deliberations on the reintroduced legislation.
The Bill, often referred to as the Anti-LGBTQ Bill, originally emerged as a Private Member’s Bill in 2021. It seeks to criminalise LGBTQ-related activities and their promotion, and while it made progress in the previous Parliament, it lapsed without presidential assent.
Rev. Fordjour argued that the legislation aligns with “the desires, culture and religious beliefs of the overwhelming majority of Ghanaians” and urged the Majority Leader and Speaker of Parliament to fast-track its passage.
The NPP’s push comes after President Mahama stated that the bill is not an immediate priority for his administration, highlighting pressing national needs such as education, healthcare, employment, and basic social services.
In response, Rev. Fordjour called on the President to reconsider and fulfil prior commitments, including backing a government-sponsored version of the bill if necessary, while encouraging continued advocacy from religious bodies, traditional authorities, and civil society groups.
The bill continues to spark intense public debate, with support from some cultural and religious groups, and opposition from human rights organisations citing potential implications for fundamental freedoms and Ghana’s international obligations. Parliament has yet to announce when discussions on the legislation will resume.
