The government has reaffirmed its determination to ensure the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill (Anti-LGBTQ Bill), following assertions by some members of the opposition that the legislation is being delayed.
Speaking in Parliament after the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South, Hon. Rev John Ntim Fordjour’s accusation of delays, Majority Leader, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, clarified that any suggestion of deliberate frustration by the government is misplaced, stressing that procedural requirements necessitate the bill’s reintroduction.
Hon. Ayariga explained that the bill, originally considered in the eighth Parliament, requires fresh deliberation in the current assembly because it was never signed into law under the previous administration. He noted that an earlier proposal to fast-track the legislation under the ninth Parliament was not supported by all members, leading to the current process.
“If you recall a couple of weeks ago when we debated this, I was the person who insisted that the fastest way to have this passed into law is to take a position that this parliament has already passed it. So what is left is signature.
“If you had listened to my advice and sided with me in the debate in this house, that we should treat the bill as having been passed by this house – and because of that – it is not part of businesses that have elapsed – by now, we would have left it squarely in the hands of the presidency to sign”
Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader
The Majority Leader indicated that President John Dramani Mahama has repeatedly affirmed his readiness to “expeditiously sign the bill once presented.” and urged critics to recognise the procedural necessity rather than misinterpret it as a deliberate act of obstruction.
“He has indicated time and again that any moment that the bill is brought before him, he will sign it,” he stated for emphasis.
Oppositions New Position
Hon. Ayariga also highlighted the contrast in engagement between the current sponsors of the bill and those who were part of its earlier consideration.
He pointed out that some opposition members, including NPP’s Hon. John Ntim Fordjour, who had limited involvement during the initial legislative process and are now presenting the matter as urgent.
“When we were all putting pressure on then President Akufo-Addo to sign, I didn’t see you helping us to put that pressure on him. I didn’t see you insisting that it be done. But now you have found your voice, and you think that President John Dramani Mahama or the NDC is conspiring not to have the bill introduced and passed”
Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader
The Majority Leader recounted details of past advocacy efforts for the bill under the previous administration, stressing that all the pressure applied on then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to ensure timely signing was to no avail.
In contrast, Hon. Ayariga consequently underscored that the present effort by the government and the NDC majority is fully committed to introducing and passing the legislation. However, he indicated that the current parliamentary process is not only legitimate but also necessary to comply with procedural norms and must be allowed to take place.
Asserting that claims of obstruction are politically motivated and ignore the realities of parliamentary procedure, he assured that once all stages are completed, the bill will be promptly presented for presidential assent, reaffirming the administration’s focus on delivering on legislative priorities.
Hon. Ayariga’s intervention comes amid heightened political discourse, as advocacy and opposition groups monitor the progress of the bill closely.
The statement aims to reassure the public that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill remains a priority for the government, and that procedural compliance, rather than deliberate delay, accounts for the current legislative timeline.
He concluded by stressing that all stakeholders must recognise the legitimacy of the parliamentary process and be patient, especially now that the work done on the bill by the previous parliament has been discarded by the speaker, urging constructive work to ensure the bill’s passage.
“If there’s anybody committed to this legislation being passed, clearly it is me and the people on this side,” Hon. Ayariga affirmed, signalling a clear, firm and unwavering commitment from the government and the NDC majority to see the bill through all necessary stages.
The assurance from the Majority Leader comes as Parliament continues to deliberate on other priority bills, with the administration reiterating its dedication to aligning legislative action with both procedural requirements and public expectations.
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