Minority Accuses Government of Stalling Reintroduction of Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill

The Minority in Parliament says it is disappointed with what it believes is a deliberate attempt by the government to delay the return of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill.

According to the caucus, it has been five weeks since the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, assured the House that the reintroduced bill was undergoing final adjustments to prepare it for smooth passage and implementation. Despite that assurance, the bill has not yet appeared before Parliament for further discussion.

Addressing the House on Friday, November 21, the lead sponsor of the bill and Member of Parliament for Assin South, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, called for the bill to be reprogrammed on the order paper next week so the House can resume work on it.

He noted that the Speaker’s ruling had not been followed through and raised concern about what he described as growing threats to cultural and family values. He urged Parliament not to give the impression that a matter considered a priority in the Eighth Parliament had suddenly been set aside.

Reverend Fordjour added that if the omission of the bill from the order paper was an oversight, it should be corrected immediately so the first reading can proceed.

Responding to the concerns, the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, dismissed the accusations. He stressed that the government is not attempting to block the bill and reaffirmed the Mahama administration’s commitment to ensuring its passage.