Minority accuses NDC of weakening anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

Minority accuses NDC of weakening anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

The Minority in Parliament says the NDC government has broken its promise to Ghanaians by watering down the 2025 Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, also known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.

At a press conference on Monday, June 1, Assin South MP and bill co-sponsor Rev. John Ntim Fordjour said the Minority backs the goals of the bill but rejects the major changes made to it. He claimed the original version passed by Parliament in 2024 was heavily altered before President Mahama would consider signing it.

According to him, 22 provisions were deleted or redrafted and 31 new insertions were made. He argued this goes against the NDC’s campaign pledge.

“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,” Rev. Ntim Fordjour said.

Parliament passed the amended bill on Friday, May 30. The new version protects certain groups from sanctions. Lawyers giving legal advice or representation to LGBTQ+ persons are exempt. Journalists and media houses reporting on LGBTQ+ issues as part of their work are also protected. Medical professionals offering surgical, psychological, or counselling services to LGBTQ+ persons will not be punished under the law.