Chairman of Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, Shaibu Mahama, has described former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s refusal to assent to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021, as a blessing in disguise.
According to the Daboya-Mankarigu MP, the development offers the 9th Parliament a critical opportunity to revisit the controversial legislation, refine its provisions, and ensure that it aligns with constitutional protections and fundamental human rights.
Mr. Mahama made the remarks during his opening address at a stakeholder engagement organized by the Committee on Thursday to gather views on the bill.
Also read: Tampuli: Don’t delay – Pass anti-LGBTQ Bill in current form
“This bill was introduced some time back. With the passage of time, many things would have changed, and new developments would have emerged. For us, it is a blessing in disguise. If there were clauses that were overlooked during the final sitting of the last Parliament, we now have the opportunity to incorporate, debate, amend, or reshape the bill,” he noted.
Hon. Shaibu Mahama’s comments signal a cautious and consultative approach by the current Parliament, suggesting that lawmakers are open to adjustments rather than a wholesale adoption of the previous version.
However, not all members of the committee share this position. The Deputy Ranking Member, Alhassan Sulemana Tampuli, argued strongly for the bill to be passed in its current form, insisting that it already reflects the will of the Ghanaian people.
According to Mr. Tampuli, the bill had gone through extensive scrutiny and public engagement during the 8th Parliament and had secured broad acceptance.
He maintained that reopening key provisions risks delaying the legislative process unnecessarily, emphasizing that Parliament should proceed with its passage without significant alterations.
Background
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021, was one of the most debated pieces of legislation in Ghana’s recent history. Introduced as a private members’ bill, it sought to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities, advocacy, and related support systems, while promoting what its sponsors described as “proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values.”
The bill was passed by the 8th Parliament in 2024 after months of intense public debate, drawing strong support from religious groups and sections of the public, while also attracting criticism from human rights organizations, civil society groups, and members of the international community.
Despite its passage, former President Akufo-Addo declined to assent to the bill before leaving office, citing legal concerns and ongoing constitutional challenges. His decision effectively halted the bill’s enactment, pushing it into the domain of the current Parliament.
With the 9th Parliament now revisiting the legislation, the renewed deliberations are expected to balance competing interests, public sentiment, constitutional safeguards, and Ghana’s international human rights obligations..