The minority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has told the majority in parliament they are tasting their own poison in regards to the controversial anti-LGBTQ.
Speaker Bagbin, on the floor of Parliament, explained that the bill, which was first introduced during the Eighth Parliament, had to be reintroduced in the Ninth Parliament.
He detailed that parliamentary procedures do not allow for the automatic transfer of unpassed legislation between sessions.
Speaker Bagbin highlighted that the legislative process encountered some setbacks with the former president’s refusal to assent to the bill, and also debates over whether the current administration should adopt it as a government-sponsored bill.
However, the Speaker explained that both the Majority and Minority sides have shown strong bipartisan support.
He further indicated that President Mahama is willing to give assent once it is passed.
Alban Bagbin stated, “We understand the expectations and the passion surrounding this bill”.
“What we are doing is to ensure that when it is passed, it will stand the test of time and be implemented effectively.”
Reacting to Speaker Bagbin, Afenyo-Markin, on the floor of parliament, stated, “Our friends must know that sometimes when they place a rat poison on another man’s tongue on another man, it won’t too long for you to taste that rat poison.
We are patiently waiting for this LGBTQ bill for the corrected version”.
In parliament, some weeks ago, Alexander Afenyo-Markin slammed the NDC government for forcing LGBTQ down the throat of Akufo-Addo, but they are now running away from the bill.
According to Afenyo-Markin, there was no administrative error for parliament to halt the reintroduction of the Anti-LGBTQ Bill.
Speaking on the floor of parliament on October 22, 2025, the minority leader stated, “There was nothing administrative in error, I dare say it for the record, you forced LGBTQ on the throat of the Akufo-Addo government; today you don’t want LGBT, you will want it.
You use it to win elections, now that your stakeholders, the international community, are warning you, you want to run away run to where?
You now see governance; you are in the kitchen, you see the heat. I was there, we pleaded with you to let us manage this situation, but you said no. Remember that hot afternoon when you suffocated me with the third reading”.
He added, “Mr Speaker, when they were in opposition, they forced this bill on us, even when it was in court, they said the bill must be signed into law. We heard President Mahama, His Excellency he said the bill he has seen it but he is referring it to the Attorney General, that was January, then they will look at the very clauses the aspect of criminalising it, bringing a conviction, and sentencing where the person must suffer a jail term the very thing that you wanted he said we have to look at it and change it”.
The Anti-LBGTQ 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.
Watch the video below:
"When you place a rat poison on another man's tank, it wont take too long for you too to taste the poison" – Minority Leader, Afenyo Markin comments on the Anti-LGBTQ controversy#3NewsGH #TV3GH pic.twitter.com/SuSzkkkURQ
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) October 28, 2025