Mahama Ayariga, the Majority Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, has jabbed the Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin following the passage of the anti-LGBTQ Bill.
According to Mahama Ayariga, he will invite Afenyo-Markin to accompany him to the Flagstaff House to witness President John Mahama’s signing of the anti-LGBTQ Bill.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament after the bill was passed on Friday, May 29, 2026, Ayariga stated, “When President John Mahama is going to assent to the bill, I will invite you to accompany me to Flagstaff House to witness the President signing the assenting to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.
There will be no letter threatening the clerk of this parliament asking him to desist from bringing the bill to the Flagstaff House. Mr Clerk the president is eargearly waiting for you. He says as soon as he returns you should hasten with the bill to him so that as promised to Ghanaians he will a pen his signature to it”.
Also, Mahama Ayariga in his closing remarks took 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.
Mahama 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.
It will be recalled, Ghana’s Anti-LGBTQ bill under the former Akufo-Addo government faced several lawsuits filed against the bill, leading to a delay in its signing.
Eventually, the bill, which became a burden for the previous government, remained just a bill and was not passed into law before Akufo-Addo left power.
The bill sought to criminalise Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBTQ+) activities in Ghana, was passed by the 8th Parliament, but remained unsigned before the 8th Parliament was dissolved.
Furthermore, conversations and discussions about the controversial anti-LBGTQ bill have resurfaced under the John Mahama government.
Meanwhile, the Parliament of Ghana, on Friday, May 29, 2026, passed the anti-LGBTQ+ or anti-gay bill.
Also, President John Dramani Mahama has made a definitive statement on the pending anti-LGBTQ bill legislation, declaring that he will assent to the bill if it is passed by Parliament.
According to John Mahama, a person’s gender is determined at birth, adding that the family is the foundation of our nation.
He added that there is no question what Ghanaians believe in.
Watch the video below:
Anti LGBTQ Bill: I will invite you to accompany to flagstaff house to witness signing of the bill – Majority Leader to Hon Afenyo Markin #GHNow pic.twitter.com/1FCYeXye52
— GHnow (@ghnow_) May 29, 2026
