Minority demands re-introduction of anti-LGBTQ+ bill, accuses Majority of ‘conspicuous silence’ on the bill

Lead sponsor of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, John Ntim Fordjour, has accused the Majority side of sidestepping the laying of the Anti-LGBTQ bill before the House for first reading.

The Assin South MP demanded that the Bill must be added to the Order Paper for next week to be laid before Parliament for first reading.

He expressed disappointment about the posture of the Majority in laying the Bill before the House, particularly when they had advocated for the passage of the Bill into law while they were in opposition during the 8th Parliament.

“The attempt by this government to block this Bill from being featured is a big disappointment to the people of this country. To the over 93% of Ghanaians who believe that marriage is between a man and a woman,” he said.

Addressing lawmakers on the floor of the House on Friday, November 21, 2025, Ntim Fordjour explained that the Bill has already met the necessary processes to be laid before the House, thus, wondered why the Majority side has not yet laid the Anti-LGBTQ bill to Parliament.

“And there seems to be a very conspicuous silence on this. Mr. Speaker, the House must not create the impression that what was a priority in the 8th Parliament has suddenly been throwed under the carpet and has suddenly been jettisoned by the 9th Parliament.

“We demand that if it was oversight or error, it must be added to the Order Paper so that next week, it is laid and presented for first reading because on record, it has satisfied all the processes by the dictates of our Standing Orders and has been duly approved to be presented for first reading and consequential referral,” he stated.

According to him, the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Private Members’ Bill was featured on the Order Paper to be laid before the House six weeks ago. However, it was removed from the Order Paper with “some disputed reasons.”

He said the Speaker Alban Bagbin subsequently gave a ruling for the Bill to be re-laid before the House.

He said no attempt has been made by the House to have the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill laid weeks after the Speaker’s ruling.

This elicited a response from the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga who said government is committed to re-introducing the Bill and passing it.