Anti-Gay Bill Resubmitted to Parliament for Review

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill has been reintroduced to Parliament for consideration, confirmed Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, the Member of Parliament for Assin South. This bill, which seeks to ban LGBT activities and make their promotion, advocacy, and funding illegal, was initially passed by the 8th Parliament but failed to receive Presidential assent during President Akufo-Addo’s administration.

In an interview with Citi News on Thursday, February 27, Ntim Fordjour explained that the reintroduction of the bill was intended to fast-track its passage through the current Parliament. He expressed confidence that once the bill is approved by Parliament, it will receive the necessary assent from President John Dramani Mahama.

“We, along with our colleagues—Sam George, Hon. Bedzrah, Hon. Alhassan Tampuli, Hon. Abdul Kabiru, and Hon. Ekow Vincent—have brought the bill back to Parliament,” Ntim Fordjour stated. “Our aim is to ensure that the bill moves quickly through the legislative process, so it can reach the President for assent. The bill has already been accepted, and the necessary procedures to move it forward will begin shortly.”

The bill, which had previously generated significant public debate, focuses on prohibiting LGBT activities within the country, criminalizing not only the acts but also the promotion and advocacy of such activities. It also targets organizations that fund or support LGBT rights in Ghana. While the bill faced challenges in gaining Presidential assent under the previous administration, its reintroduction signals a renewed push from proponents who view it as vital to protecting Ghana’s traditional family values.

Ntim Fordjour expressed confidence that the bill would progress smoothly in the current Parliament, citing broad support from various sectors of society. He pointed to the continued backing of key groups, including religious leaders such as chiefs, imams, and clergy, who have long opposed the legalization of LGBT rights in Ghana. These groups have consistently voiced their strong support for the bill, and Ntim Fordjour believes that this backing will be crucial to its swift passage.

“The chiefs, our imams, and the clergy, along with the coalition that has supported us from the start, continue to stand with us firmly. Their support is unwavering, and that is essential to the success of this bill,” he noted. Ntim Fordjour also mentioned that the Speaker of Parliament is in favor of the bill, which he believes will further facilitate the legislative process and help ensure the bill’s passage without unnecessary delays.

The reintroduction of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill comes at a time when the issue of LGBT rights continues to be a contentious subject in Ghana. While some human rights advocates argue for the recognition of LGBT rights, many Ghanaians, particularly within religious and conservative circles, view any form of LGBT recognition as incompatible with the country’s cultural and moral values. The bill, which seeks to further criminalize LGBT activities, reflects the ongoing tension between these opposing views.

Ntim Fordjour emphasized that the reintroduced bill is essentially the same as the version that was passed by the 8th Parliament, meaning that it should not face significant delays in its passage. He also reiterated that the support from the religious and traditional leaders would be crucial in ensuring that the bill moves through Parliament quickly. With this support in place, Ntim Fordjour expressed his optimism that the bill would soon be passed into law.

“We are confident that the Speaker and the rest of Parliament will help us get the bill passed swiftly. Once it is passed, we hope that President Mahama will give it the approval it needs,” Ntim Fordjour said. This renewed push for the bill indicates that the debate over LGBT rights in Ghana is far from over, and it remains a highly polarized issue with passionate arguments on both sides. However, with strong backing from influential social groups and leaders, proponents of the bill remain hopeful that the bill will pass through Parliament and become law.