(VIDEO) Minority Criticises Amended Human Sexual Rights Bill, Says It Has Lost Its Effectiveness
Rev. John Ntim Fordjour argues that extensive amendments to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill have weakened its original intent and effectiveness.
- Minority says amended bill lacks effectiveness.
- 31 amendments and 22 clauses removed before passage.
- Calls for reconsideration of the original bill.
The Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee and a sponsor of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has expressed concerns over the recently passed legislation, arguing that extensive amendments have significantly weakened its effectiveness.
According to Rev. Ntim Fordjour, the original bill, which was jointly sponsored by eight Members of Parliament and presented to the 8th Parliament, underwent substantial changes before its passage.
He noted that lawmakers introduced 31 amendments and removed 22 clauses, resulting in a version that differs considerably from the initial proposal.
Speaking on the matter, the Assin South MP questioned the rationale behind the amendments, particularly by members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), whom he said had previously advocated strongly for the bill and urged former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to assent to it.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour argued that the original bill was designed to comprehensively address issues related to LGBTQI+ activities and reflected the intentions of its sponsors. He maintained that the extensive revisions had stripped the legislation of key provisions that made it effective.
He further stated that the bill passed by the 8th Parliament was the same legislation that President John Dramani Mahama had pledged during the 2024 election campaign to support if presented to him.
The Minority lawmaker therefore called for the original version of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill to be reconsidered and forwarded to the President for assent, insisting that it aligns with the commitments made to Ghanaians and the objectives for which it was initially introduced.
From Martin Kwabena Ahwireng Quaye
