The Minority in Parliament has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of hypocrisy and breaching public trust over what it describes as significant alterations to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, June 1, the Member of Parliament for Assin South and co-sponsor of the bill, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, said the caucus supports the objectives of the legislation but strongly opposes what it claims are extensive amendments that substantially alter the original version passed by Parliament in 2024.
According to him, the Minority’s objection is not to the principle of the bill itself, but to what it describes as the “mutilation” of its core provisions through deletions, redrafting and new insertions. He argued that the governing NDC has shifted its position after previously calling for the bill to be assented to in its original form.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour accused the government of failing to honour its earlier commitments to Ghanaians regarding the legislation.
“22 original provisions of the bill had to be deleted, redrafted and 31 insertions made before President Mahama would have it, desire it, and sign it. Was that the promise? Was the promise to come and dilute the bill before he signs?
“You all remember, the promise was clear: ‘Vote for me, and I will come and sign it, vote NPP out because they won’t sign it. NDC will come and sign it’. They did not say NDC will come and amend it. That is a scam, and that is a breach of trust. That is hypocrisy, and that is deception,” he said.
Parliament on Friday, May 30, passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, with a number of amendments.
Under the revised provisions, individuals providing legal advice or legal representation to persons identified as LGBTQ+ are exempt from sanctions under the proposed law. Journalists and media organisations reporting on LGBTQ+ issues in the course of their professional duties are also protected.
The bill further exempts medical professionals, including those providing surgical, psychological and counselling services to LGBTQ+ persons, from punishment under the legislation.
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