The Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has called on the Majority in Parliament to reintroduce the Anti-LGBTQ Bill in the exact form it was passed by the 8th Parliament, without any alterations.
His appeal follows suggestions from the Speaker that the Majority may seek to amend certain provisions of the legislation before re-tabling it a move Abu Jinapor firmly opposes.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, the Damongo legislator emphasized that the bill formally known as the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill underwent extensive national consultations and received unanimous approval from the previous Parliament.
“Let them bring the bill as it was passed by the 8th Parliament in the same form and shape. Don’t change it. Don’t water it down. What Ghanaians want is a law that promotes proper sexual conduct and prevents LGBTQ activities,” he declared.
Although the bill was passed, it was not assented to before the end of the previous administration. The current NDC-led government has indicated plans to reintroduce it in the 9th Parliament, possibly with some revisions.
Abu Jinapor, who also serves as Ranking Member on the Foreign Affairs Committee, cautioned that modifying the original provisions would undermine the integrity of the legislative process and disregard the cultural and moral values cherished by Ghanaians.
His comments have reignited national debate over the contentious bill, which continues to polarize public opinion among civil society groups, religious bodies, and international partners.
As Parliament readies to revisit the legislation, all eyes are on the Majority to see whether it will heed Abu Jinapor’s call to restore the bill in its original form.
