The Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused the government and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of weakening the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ Bill.
According to the Minority Caucus in Parliament, the anti-LGBTQ Bill has been weakened through extensive amendments before its passage by Parliament last week.
Speaking at a media briefing in Parliament, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, the member of Parliament for Assin South, questioned why the NDC, which previously urged former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to assent to the bill, has now significantly altered it under President Mahama.
Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, addressing the press conference on Monday, June 1, stated, “22 original provisions of the bill had to be deleted, redrafted and 31 insertions made before President Mahama would have it, desire it, and sign it. Was that the promise? Was the promise to come and dilute the bill before he signs?
“President Mahama promised that he would sign the 2024 Bill. He didn’t promise to sign an amended, deleted, mutilated, and surgically bastardised Bill. He didn’t promise he would sign another version of that, and that is the reason why, even when he promised he was bringing his own version of the bill, til date he has not brought it.
Because he is perhaps waiting for the 2024 bill. So what is so difficult in parliament giving that old one to him?
“You all remember, the promise was clear: ‘Vote for me, and I will come and sign it, vote NPP out because they won’t sign it. NDC will come and sign it’. They did not say NDC will come and amend it. That is a scam, and that is a breach of trust. That is hypocrisy, and that is deception,” he said.
His comments follow Parliament on Friday, May 30, passing the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, with several amendments.
Under the new bill, a person who provides legal advice or legal representation to persons identified as LGBTQ+ is exempt from sanctions.
Also, Journalists and media organisations reporting on LGBTQ+ issues in the course of their professional duties are also protected.
It further exempted medical professionals, including those providing surgical, psychological and counselling services to LGBTQ+ persons, from punishment.
Meanwhile, Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, has taken a swipe at members of the Minority Caucus over their commentary on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ Bill, following its passage.
The Majority argued that the Minority is claiming that the bill passed is a “watered-down” version of the one passed in 2024, just to exonerate former President Akufo-Addo, who refused to act on it.
He highlighted that former President Akufo-Addo cannot be redeemed, as he is irredeemable for refusing to sign the anti-LGBTQ Bill.
According to Mahama Ayariga, his party and government have done no wrong in the passage of the bill.
The Majority leader added that the government has no interest in the anti-LGBTQ Bill, as it was a private member’s bill.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament after the bill was passed on Friday, May 29, 2026, Ayariga stated, “How does the NDC government come into this, because in the first place, this is a private member’s bill. The government has no interest in it. We, as Members of Parliament, are working on the bill because you, our colleagues, have sponsored a bill that we are working on.
“So, on what basis are you accusing the NDC government? Except that you are just seeking to equalise, because Akufo-Addo refused to sign the bill that you presented. That’s all that you are seeking to do,” he fumed.
He added, “You believe that in saying all the things that you are saying, doing all the things that you are doing, you will redeem Akufo-Addo. You cannot redeem Akufo-Addo in this matter. President Akufo-Addo is irredeemable in this matter.
“Speaker, take note of his expressions. He says that ‘the bill that you presented to Akufo-Addo to sign’. Is it we who presented it to Akufo-Addo to sign? You brought the bill to this House; the bill was passed for you the way you wanted, and then you are now accusing us of being the ones who presented the bill to Akufo-Addo to sign,” he noted.
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The Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused the government and the ruling National Democratic Congress of weakening the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill through extensive amendments before its passage by Parliament last week.
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) June 1, 2026
At a media briefing in Parliament,… pic.twitter.com/JOk9a5AKvA
