By Valentia Tetteh
The Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of diluting key provisions of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, arguing that significant amendments made to the legislation amount to a breach of trust with the Ghanaian people.
Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Monday, June 1, the Member of Parliament for Assin South and co-sponsor of the bill, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, said the Minority remains committed to the objectives of the legislation but strongly disagrees with what it describes as extensive alterations made to the original bill previously passed by Parliament.
According to him, the concern of the Minority is not about the passage of the bill itself but rather the numerous amendments introduced before its approval by Parliament.
“We are not against the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. We are not against Parliament’s authority to legislate. Our concern is that the bill appears to have lost part of the force and value that made it central to the national debate, while Ghanaians were previously told it required only assent and no further review,” Rev. Ntim Fordjour stated.
Parliament on Friday, May 30, 2026, passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, following extensive debate and consideration of several proposed amendments.
The Minority argues that the newly passed version differs substantially from the bill approved by the Eighth Parliament in 2024.
According to Rev. Ntim Fordjour, the original legislation contained 19 clauses, but the revised version saw 22 provisions deleted, redrafted or substituted, while 31 new amendments were introduced.
“Twenty-two original provisions of the bill had to be deleted, redrafted, and thirty-one insertions made before President Mahama would have it and sign it. Was that the promise? Was the promise to come and dilute the bill before he signs it?” he questioned.
He further accused the NDC government of abandoning its earlier position on the legislation after campaigning on promises that a future NDC administration would simply assent to the bill without seeking further amendments.
“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, that is a breach of trust,” he added.
A major concern raised by the Minority relates to Clause 9 of the legislation, which in the earlier version prohibited the promotion, advocacy, sponsorship, and organised support for activities deemed unlawful under the Act.
The Minority contends that the revised clause introduces several exemptions that were not contained in the original bill.
Under the amended provisions, legal practitioners providing representation to persons accused under the law, academics expressing scholarly opinions, medical professionals, journalists, government agencies, development partners, and public health officials performing lawful duties are exempt from sanctions under certain circumstances.
The Minority described the changes as a “fundamental alteration” of a clause it considers the backbone of the legislation.
“The earlier bill derived much of its strength from Clause 9. Today, that same clause has been significantly altered. The fundamental question remains: Has Clause 9 been strengthened, or has the bill lost part of the force and value that originally made it a defining statement on family values?” Rev. Ntim Fordjour asked.
The Minority is therefore demanding explanations from the government on what informed the changes and why the earlier version was not presented for assent in its original form.
Among the questions raised by the caucus are why extensive amendments became necessary if the previous bill was considered complete, what specific concerns informed the revisions, and whether the current version maintains the same intent and effectiveness as the bill passed by Parliament in 2024.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill was passed on Friday, May 29, 2026.
