The Minority in Parliament has accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of attempting to weaken the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill through the introduction of what it describes as broad exemption clauses that could undermine the legislation’s effectiveness.
Addressing a press conference in Accra, Assin South MP and Ranking Member on Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, argued that amendments proposed during the bill’s reconsideration would create immunity for certain groups to engage in activities that promote LGBTQ rights without facing sanctions under the law.
According to him, the bill’s central objective is not merely to criminalize same-sex relationships, which he said are already prohibited under existing laws, but to prevent the promotion, advocacy and sponsorship of LGBTQ activities.
“The main thrust of the object of the bill is what we don’t have in any part of our existing laws,” he said. “A person shall not promote or support an act prohibited under this act.”
Rev. Ntim Fordjour maintained that professionals such as lawyers, journalists, doctors and academics already enjoy constitutional protections in the discharge of their duties and therefore do not require additional exemptions.
“Your protection is already there in the law,” he stated. “If you’re a journalist, who has jailed you for reporting murder or rape cases? You cover them, but you do not promote them.”
The Minority MP took particular issue with proposed clauses exempting legal representation, academic publications, medical opinions, media reporting and public health activities from sanctions under the bill.
He argued that such provisions would permit individuals and organizations to advocate for LGBTQ rights while shielding themselves from legal consequences.
“This is an immunity clause,” he said. “You are lifting them above the law and saying that if you are within these categories, you can do anything that promotes LGBT, that advocates for LGBT, supports and sponsors LGBT, and you should be exempted.”
The Assin South legislator described the proposed amendments as “dangerous dilutions” and urged Parliament to retain the original version of the bill passed in 2024, insisting that its deterrent provisions should remain intact.
“We want the old bill to come. The old bill is what has the deterrence, the teeth to bite,” he affirmed.
