The Minority in Parliament is demanding the immediate reprogramming of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, insisting that its prolonged absence from the order paper raises serious questions about government’s commitment to its passage.
According to the caucus, it has been more than five weeks since Speaker Alban Bagbin informed the House that final technical adjustments were being made to the revised bill. However, since then, the bill has not been slated for debate or further consideration.
The lead sponsor of the bill and MP for Assin South, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, took to the floor to express dissatisfaction over what he described as a “deliberate and conspicuous delay.”
“There has been no effort by this House to consider the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. Meanwhile, the issue of LGBTQ continues to threaten the values and cultural fabric of our nation, yet there is silence here,” he said.
Reverend Fordjour further accused government officials of quietly working to prevent the bill from returning to Parliament.
“The Speaker ruled that the bill must be programmed for consideration. Any attempt by this government to block it is a big disappointment to the people of this country,” he alleged.
President John Dramani Mahama early this week reiterated that once Parliament passes the bill and sends it to the Presidency, he will assent to it.
