Minority Accuses Govt of 'Ducking' Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill
Accra ,Ghana - October 22,2025 - The Minority in Parliament has accused the Mahama administration of attempting to "run away" from the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, also known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, after it was quietly removed from the Order Paper on October 22, 2025.
The bill, which seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities and their promotion, advocacy, and funding in Ghana, was expected to be reintroduced in Parliament for its first reading. However, its sudden disappearance from the agenda has sparked strong reactions from Minority members, who are demanding immediate answers from the government and parliamentary leadership.
Habib Iddrisu, a member of the Minority, expressed concern on the floor of Parliament, describing the situation as "a serious matter." "Mr Speaker, we cannot have bills advertised on the Order Paper yesterday and today, the same bills are missing without anything being explained to anybody," he said.
Ntim Fordjour, another Minority member, accused the government of attempting to "run away" from the bill, which has been one of the most contentious pieces of legislation in recent years, drawing both strong support from conservative groups and sharp criticism from human rights advocates and sections of the international community.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga explained that there was no need to re-lay the bill since it had already been passed by the previous Parliament and forwarded to the Presidency for assent. However, the Minority is demanding clarity and immediate action, with some members arguing that the government's abstention from a crucial vote on LGBTQ issues at the United Nations Human Rights Council amounts to tacit support for the controversial mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.
Source – Lead News Online/Shiela Amerley Biala
