On Friday, Parliament initiated the consideration of the “Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2022.” The legislative process involves a clause-by-clause examination of the Bill, with amendments made before it can become law.
The primary objective of the Bill is to establish regulations for human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values, explicitly prohibiting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+), and related activities.
Due to the absence of Mr. Kwame Ayimadu-Antwi, Chairman of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, Mr. Bernard Ahiafor, the Ranking Member, stepped in to lead the House during the Bill's consideration.
Notably, a major amendment involved the removal of the word “Proper,” resulting in the revised title, “Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values.” This change will have consequential effects throughout the entire Bill.
Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin announced that the House would resume consideration of the Bill on Monday, December 11, 2023.
Mr. Samuel Nartey George, the Lead Sponsor of the Private Member's Bill and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Prampram, attended the session. Other sponsors include Madam Dela Adjoa Sowah (NDC, Kpando), Mr. Emmanuel Bedzrah (NDC, Ho West), Reverend John Nti Fordjour (New Patriotic Party, Assin South), Mr. Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyine (NDC, Tamale North), Madam Rita Naa Odoley (NDC, La Dadekotopon), Madam Helen Adjoa Ntoso (NDC, Krachi West), and Mr. Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor (NDC, South Dayi).
