By Sarah Baafi
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused the government of deliberately delaying the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, raising concerns about what it describes as a lack of urgency and commitment to its passage.
Addressing a press conference, the Assin South Member of Parliament and Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, alleged that the government has consistently avoided matters related to the proposed legislation while allowing pro-LGBTQ advocacy to gain visibility.
According to the Minority, recent developments suggest a pattern of inaction. The caucus cited an incident involving foreign nationals who reportedly campaigned openly in support of LGBTQ rights at key national sites without intervention from security agencies. It questioned why no arrests were made and why government officials remained silent on the matter.
The group also criticised Ghana’s position at the United Nations Human Rights Council, claiming the government abstained from taking a firm stance during a vote on LGBTQ-related issues. The Minority argued that such actions are inconsistent with what it described as Ghana’s cultural and moral stance.
The caucus further expressed concern over delays in Parliament, noting that although the bill has been reintroduced and referred to the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, it has yet to be considered. It alleged that the delay may be influenced by the executive.
The group called on the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, and other parliamentary leaders to ensure the bill is expedited when Parliament resumes. It said Ghanaians expect swift action on the legislation.
Additionally, the Minority urged members of the Majority who have previously supported the bill to demonstrate their commitment by applying pressure on the government to facilitate its passage. It warned that further delays could undermine public confidence in Parliament’s responsiveness to national concerns.
