The Member of Parliament for Assin South, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, has confirmed that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the Anti-LGBT Bill, has been reintroduced to Parliament for consideration. The bill, which aims to prohibit LGBT activities and criminalize their promotion, advocacy, and funding, was initially passed by the 8th Parliament but failed to receive presidential assent during President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration.

In an interview with Citi News on Thursday, February 27, Ntim Fordjour revealed that the bill has been formally admitted to Parliament, and the legislative processes for its passage are set to begin. He called on former President John Dramani Mahama, who is seeking re-election, to publicly commit to assenting to the bill if it is passed by the current Parliament and he is elected president.

“Myself, Sam George, Hon. Bedzrah, Hon. Alhassan Tampuli, Hon. Abdul Kabiru, and Hon. Ekow Vincent have reintroduced the bill,” Ntim Fordjour stated. “We are pushing for its speedy passage so that the next president can assent to it. The bill has been received, and the necessary processes are now in motion.”

The reintroduction of the bill has reignited a heated national debate over human rights, freedom of expression, and Ghana’s cultural values. Proponents of the bill argue that it is necessary to preserve the country’s traditional family structures and moral values, while critics warn that it could violate fundamental human rights and further marginalize the LGBT community.

The bill’s previous passage by the 8th Parliament was met with both local and international criticism, with human rights organizations and foreign governments expressing concerns about its potential impact on Ghana’s reputation and its implications for the rights of minority groups. Despite these concerns, the bill enjoys significant support among many Ghanaians, particularly within religious and conservative circles.

As the bill moves through Parliament, its fate remains uncertain. While its supporters are optimistic about its passage, its potential impact on Ghana’s international relations and human rights record continues to be a subject of intense debate. The call for former President Mahama to pledge his support for the bill adds a political dimension to the issue, as the 2024 presidential election approaches.

The reintroduction of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill underscores the ongoing tension between cultural conservatism and human rights advocacy in Ghana. As the legislative process unfolds, the nation watches closely, with the outcome likely to have far-reaching implications for Ghana’s social, political, and international landscape.

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