The Minority Caucus in Parliament has issued a strongly worded statement accusing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of abandoning its earlier commitment to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, describing the heavily amended version as a “fundamental breach of faith” with the Ghanaian people.
In a press release dated June 4, 2026, signed by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the NPP reiterated its firm rejection of the normalisation, promotion, or protection of LGBTQ+ values and practices in Ghana.
The caucus noted that in 2024, both sides of the 8th Parliament unanimously passed the original bill, reflecting the cultural, religious, and moral convictions of the overwhelming majority of Ghanaians. It highlighted that the NDC, then in opposition, strongly resisted any amendments and criticised the previous government for delaying presidential assent.
“Having secured power on the strength of that position, Ghanaians are entitled to expect the John Mahama administration to honour, without equivocation, the commitments and representations made regarding the 2024 Bill,” the statement said.
The Minority Caucus expressed disappointment that upon assuming office, the NDC has introduced 31 amendments to the bill, fundamentally altering provisions it had previously defended. It described this as political insincerity and a departure from the position the NDC vigorously championed while in opposition.
The statement also criticised conflicting positions within the ruling party, noting that President Mahama has publicly suggested Parliament may have lacked quorum during the bill’s passage, while Speaker Alban Bagbin has called for the bill to be returned for fresh consideration. The Majority Leader, on the other hand, has defended the passage.
The NPP further claimed that President Mahama appeared in no hurry to see the bill become law and may have given assurances to the British Prime Minister that the legislation remains far from being enacted.
The caucus insisted that the original bill passed by the 8th Parliament, which President Mahama had pledged to assent to, must be transmitted for presidential assent without further dilution.
“The issue before the country has never been whether or not Ghanaians support the values embodied in the 2024 Bill. That is not in doubt. The real issue is whether the NDC can be trusted,” the statement concluded.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill remains a highly emotive national issue, with strong support from religious bodies and traditional leaders, while human rights groups continue to raise concerns about its implications for fundamental freedoms.
Editor:
Obiri-Yeboah
