The Assin South Member of Parliament, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, says the purpose of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill is not to “protect those promoting LGBTQ+ activities,” but to uphold Ghana’s existing moral and legal standards.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem morning show, Mr. Fordjour questioned the intent behind criticisms of the bill, insisting that its objective has always been clearly understood.
“Did we say we were doing laws to protect those who are announcing LGBTQ+, or to bring it down? That is the question,” he said.
He argued that concerns raised by President John Dramani Mahama regarding possible lapses in the legislative process are valid and consistent with earlier warnings raised by some lawmakers.
“So if the President says there are lapses in the law, it is true. That is what we have been talking about since we were in power and even on the floor of Parliament,” he stated.
Mr. Fordjour further claimed that even the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, expressed surprise at how the bill was passed.
“The Speaker himself said he was surprised at how the law was passed,” he added.
He urged Parliament to take its time and ensure broader consultation before any final decision is made.
“They need to take their time and listen to everyone’s views,” he said.
The MP also noted that he was a co-sponsor of the bill while his party was in power, stressing that the intention has always been to pass and assent the same agreed legislation.
“If the same bill has been presented in Parliament — the one we all know and agreed on — then it should be passed and assented to. But now there are suggestions to remove some parts and review it before it goes to the Presidency. Is that even right?” he questioned.
His comments come after Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin directed the House to revisit the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, following concerns about whether proper parliamentary procedures and bipartisan support requirements were fully met.
The Speaker had earlier described the passage of the bill as surprising, noting that he expected it to be laid for further consideration rather than fully passed at that stage. He subsequently called a crunch meeting with parliamentary leadership to clarify what transpired during the proceedings.
President John Dramani Mahama has also indicated that the bill requires further scrutiny before it can be assented to, citing procedural concerns that still need to be addressed.
Source: adomonline.com
