Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has distanced himself from any further processes concerning the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, after its passage by Parliament, stating that his role ended once the House approved the legislation.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Tuesday, June 2, Mr Ayariga maintained that decisions regarding the transmission of the bill for presidential assent are outside his responsibility.
He noted that the bill, which contains about 19 clauses, had undergone extensive consideration in previous sittings, with much of its content already agreed upon by both sides of the House.
“We worked with our colleagues on the entire bill from clause one to clause nine. There was no issue. Even where concerns were raised, the committee made recommendations, and we engaged and agreed on several of them,” he said.
The Majority Leader questioned the calls for further reconsideration of the bill, arguing that Parliament had already reached consensus on its key provisions after lengthy negotiations.
“We have kept this bill in this House for one and a half years, and now we are being asked to bring it back again and consider what exactly? I don’t know specifically what provisions need reconsideration. I have done my job. I have moved for the bill to be passed. As for whether it will be transmitted for assent or not, that is their business,” he stated.
His comments come amid ongoing debate over the future of the controversial bill, following directives from Speaker Alban Bagbin for further engagement with leadership after concerns were raised about the manner of its passage on May 29.
President John Dramani Mahama has also indicated that the bill requires additional review before any decision on assent, citing procedural and constitutional issues.
Speaker Bagbin had earlier expressed surprise that the bill had advanced to final passage, contrary to his expectation that deliberations were still ongoing, and subsequently called for renewed consultations between the Majority and Minority leadership.
Editor:
Obiri-Yeboah
