Assin South Member of Parliament, John Ntim Fordjour, is calling on President John Dramani Mahama to act on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, saying the government’s position on the matter is different from what they held when in opposition.
The lawmaker, speaking at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, indicated that the government the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has moved away from its earlier stance on the bill.
“NDC portrayed the NPP government as indecisive… but the moment they assumed power, they replaced their strong stance in opposition with rhetoric. They moved from ‘pass the bill’ to ‘manage how it is introduced and structured,’” he said.
According to him, the urgency the NDC attached to the bill previously has declined.
“The urgency has already evaporated, and his certainty dissolves into procedural language when he goes to America, but tells Ghanaians at home he is against LGBTQ+,” he stated.
At the same presser, National Organiser of the NPP, Henry Nana Boakye, also noted that the government, while in opposition, capitalised on the LGBTQ to campaign, but changed its position once it assumed power.
“NDC negatively weaponised the issue of LGBTQ+ in the runup to the 2024 elections; they roped in the clergy… in government today, we are seeing something different from what they promised,” he said.
The NPP’s comments come on the back of President John Dramani Mahama’s recent comments on the matter, calling for a dialogue on LGBTQI-related matters, indicating the issue is not among the country’s immediate priorities.
At a Presidential Dialogue with Civil Society Organisations at the Jubilee House on March 30, 2026, the President said the government remains focused on addressing socio-economic challenges.
“I explained during my recent engagement with the World Affairs Council that it is not the most important issue we face as a nation,” he said.
“We are still grappling with the provisions of basic needs of education, health care, jobs, food, clothing, and shelter,” he added.
President Mahama also said the matter should be addressed through constitutional and democratic processes.
“While there are strong and differing views within our society, we believe that issues must be addressed through democratic processes, our core values, dialogue, and the rule of law,” he said.
Mr. Fordjour further raised concerns about the constitutional review process, saying some proposals could have implications for LGBTQI-related issues.
“These recommendations, if adopted, could open the door for the recognition of LGBTQ concepts within our constitutional framework,” he said.
“This is not just a legal matter; it is an issue that goes to the heart of our values as a nation. Embedding such provisions in the Constitution will have far-reaching consequences for our moral and cultural identity,” he added.
He also said assurances had been given to religious and traditional leaders that the bill would be prioritised.
“We were made to understand that this bill would be treated as a priority if they came into office. What we are seeing now is a clear shift, and it amounts to a betrayal of the trust reposed in them by religious and traditional leaders,” he said.
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