The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Honourable Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has questioned the government’s commitment to the passage of the Anti LGBTQ Bill. The politician argued that events surrounding the proposed legislation exposed contradictions in the posture adopted by the current administration before and after assuming office.
According to Honourable Awuah, the issue became a major campaign message ahead of the 2024 elections. The Manhyia South MP indicated that the then opposition party appealed strongly to public sentiment by promising to defend Ghanaian family values through the passage of the bill.
From his perspective, the previous administration had raised concerns over legal questions connected to the legislation before the matter reached the Supreme Court. He explained that the concerns centered on whether portions of the bill aligned with the Constitution of Ghana.
The politician recounted that the matter was eventually determined by the apex court before the expiration of the Eighth Parliament. He stated that many Ghanaians expected the current administration to quickly reintroduce the bill after the judicial clarification.
“The Supreme Court had already dealt with the constitutional concerns surrounding the bill. Once that judicial clarity came, many expected the same proposal to return to Parliament immediately for action. That expectation has clearly not been met.”
Honourable Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah
The Manhyia South MP observed that the current government previously criticised former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo over the handling of the legislation. He indicated that the criticism created the impression that the former administration lacked interest in assenting to the bill.
The Parliamentarian further argued that legal concerns which once delayed the process have been settled by the Supreme Court. He therefore questioned why fresh delays continue to emerge around the proposed legislation.
Meanwhile, Honourable Awuah stated that the government’s present approach has generated disappointment among sections of the Ghanaian public. He added that many citizens expected urgency after the extensive national debate surrounding the bill over the last few years. According to him, actions taken after the elections failed to match the strong rhetoric that characterised the campaign period.
Delays Over Family Values Bill Spark Commitment Concerns
Honourable Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah also criticised developments within Parliament over attempts to reintroduce the proposed legislation. The politician argued that the handling of the process by the Majority side has slowed progress on the bill which already enjoyed strong public backing.
According to him, sponsors of the bill encountered frustration when efforts were made to place the proposal back before Parliament. He explained that the Business Committee remains influential in determining which matters appeared before the House for consideration.
The Manhyia South MP suggested that conflicting public comments from government officials deepened uncertainty surrounding the legislation. He noted that some explanations offered by leadership in Parliament contradicted earlier statements from the Presidency on the status of the bill.
“The bill already received judicial consideration and Parliament had earlier worked on it extensively. If there is genuine commitment to the process, there should be no prolonged delay in bringing it back for passage.”
Honourable Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah
From his view, it would have been more practical to continue with a proposal that had already undergone constitutional scrutiny. He questioned why attention was being directed at the possibility of introducing a new government sponsored version.
He argued that a fresh proposal could reopen constitutional debates that have been settled by the Supreme Court. In his assessment, continuing with the earlier bill would have offered a clearer legislative path.
The politician also linked the issue to public opinion surveys conducted in recent years. He asserted that strong support expressed by many Ghanaians during the national conversation may have influenced campaign messaging ahead of the elections.
Honourable Awuah acknowledged that parliamentary committees engaged stakeholders on the bill in recent months. He explained that consultations and retreats have taken place as part of the consideration process.
“Ghanaians were repeatedly assured that this matter was a priority. The country has now reached a stage where citizens expect action from leadership and not another cycle of political promises.”
Honourable Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah
He therefore urged Parliament and the Executive to act with urgency on the legislation. The politician added that prolonged delays would continue to fuel public debate over the government’s commitment to the issue.
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