The Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of abandoning its previously firm stance on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, describing the party’s actions as a “breach of faith” with Ghanaians.
Addressing the media through a press release dated June 4 and signed by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) remains unwavering in its opposition to the promotion, normalisation, or protection of LGBTQ+ practices in Ghana.
“The NPP unequivocally rejects the normalisation, promotion or protection of LGBTQ+ values and practices within Ghanaian society. This position is consistent with the views of the people we are in politics to serve, the Ghanaian people,” he stated.
The Minority recalled that the 8th Parliament unanimously passed the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill in 2024 after extensive debate, arguing that the legislation reflected the cultural, religious, and moral values of the overwhelming majority of Ghanaians.
According to the NPP, the NDC, while in opposition, strongly opposed any attempts to amend the bill and criticised concerns raised about its constitutionality. The Minority noted that the NDC also used the delay in presidential assent as a major campaign issue ahead of the 2024 elections.
The caucus further pointed to the role played by Speaker Alban Bagbin in championing the bill’s passage during the previous Parliament.
“It was Rt. Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin, serving as Speaker of the 8th Parliament, who led the charge for the passage of the Bill without compromise or dilution,” the statement said.
However, the Minority claims the NDC has dramatically changed its position since assuming office. The caucus criticised the ruling party for supporting a reintroduced version of the bill that reportedly contains 31 amendments.
“The NPP holds that this heavily amended Bill represents a clear departure from the NDC’s 2024 position and a fundamental breach of faith with the Ghanaian people,” Afenyo-Markin asserted.
The Minority described the NDC’s decision to demand immediate presidential assent to the original bill while in opposition, only to substantially revise it after gaining power.
The caucus also cited what it called conflicting positions within the government regarding the bill’s passage. It pointed to comments by President John Dramani Mahama suggesting Parliament may not have had the required quorum when the amended bill was passed, while Speaker Alban Bagbin has reportedly called for the legislation to be reconsidered.
According to the NPP, these developments suggest an attempt to delay the bill’s eventual enactment.
“The NPP believes these contradictions reflect an attempt to frustrate the Bill’s enactment, while managing the political consequences of abandoning a position that the NDC once vigorously championed,” the Minority stated.
The Minority also referenced remarks allegedly made by President Mahama during a recent engagement at Chatham House in London, claiming they indicated a lack of urgency in making the bill law.
Concluding its statement, the caucus argued that the debate is no longer about whether Ghanaians support the values contained in the original bill, but whether the NDC can be trusted to uphold the commitments it made before the elections.
“The Bill passed in 2024 by the 8th Parliament, which President John Dramani Mahama pledged to assent to, must be passed in its original state and transmitted for presidential assent. That is the aspiration of the overwhelming majority of Ghanaians,” the Minority declared.
