The Minority in Parliament has urged President John Dramani Mahama to ensure that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, is passed and assented to without changes that could dilute its original intent. This call was made by Minority Leader, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, during a Leaders' Media Briefing on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The Minority Leader emphasized the need for consistency in the government's position, particularly given the National Democratic Congress' (NDC) earlier support for the Bill.
The NDC, while in opposition, supported the legislation and called on then President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to assent to it after Parliament passed an earlier version in 2024. The Minority is now urging President Mahama to demonstrate the same commitment by ensuring that the legislation retains the provisions the NDC previously supported. This move aims to secure citizens' rights and protect them through precise drafting, consistent with the 1992 Constitution.
Speaking at the Leaders' Media Briefing, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin argued that the President should not allow further delays or changes that could water down the legislation. He insisted that lawmakers must vote on the actual text of the Bill. The Minority Leader emphasized that every member must have a say in the final version of the Bill, ensuring that citizens' rights are protected.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, has been a contentious issue in Ghana, with various stakeholders weighing in on its implications. The Minority's call for the Bill to be passed without amendments reflects their commitment to upholding the rights of citizens, as enshrined in the Constitution. By doing so, they aim to prevent any potential dilution of the legislation's intent.
Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin also highlighted the importance of precise drafting in the Bill, stating that blanket exemptions are not safeguards, but rather a dilution of the legislation. This stance underscores the Minority's determination to ensure that the Bill is passed in its original form, without any loopholes or exemptions that could undermine its effectiveness.
The Minority's position on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, reflects their commitment to protecting citizens' rights and upholding the principles of the 1992 Constitution. As Parliament resumes on November 3, 2026, the Minority Leader's call for the Bill to be passed without amendments is expected to be a key point of discussion among lawmakers.
Key points
- The Minority in Parliament is urging President John Dramani Mahama to pass the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, without amendments that could alter its original intent.
- The National Democratic Congress (NDC) previously supported the legislation while in opposition and called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to assent to it.
- The Minority Leader, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, emphasized the need for consistency in the government's position and the importance of precise drafting in the Bill.
