The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of abandoning the position it previously held on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, describing the shift as “political deceit” following the passage of the amended legislation.
In a strongly worded statement, issued on Thursday, 4 June 2026 by the Minority Caucus, and signed by Osahen Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, Minority Leader, the NPP said the NDC had performed a “dramatic U-turn” on the anti-LGBTQI+ Bill after assuming power, despite previously insisting that the law should be passed without compromise.
The Minority Caucus reiterated its opposition to the normalisation, promotion or protection of LGBTQI+ practices in Ghana, saying its position remains unchanged.
According to the NPP, the original Bill passed unanimously by the 8th Parliament in 2024 reflected the cultural, religious and moral values of Ghanaians.
However, it alleged that the governing party, which supported the Bill while in opposition, is now backing extensive amendments that significantly alter its contents.
The NPP claimed the reintroduced Bill has undergone more than 30 amendments, which it described as a “fundamental breach of faith” with the Ghanaian people.
“It is, therefore, both strange and hypocritical for the NDC to have demanded immediate presidential assent to the 2024 Bill, only to return to Parliament and substantially rewrite that same Bill upon assuming office,” the statement said.
Inconsistencies
The opposition further questioned President John Mahama’s handling of the legislation, saying expectations had been set during the 2024 election period that the Bill would be assented to in its original form.
It also pointed to reported divisions within the governing party over the amended Bill, including disagreements over whether Parliament met the required quorum during its passage.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has reportedly called for the Bill to be returned for a fresh Consideration Stage, while the Majority Leader is said to oppose the move.
The NPP said these contradictions suggest attempts to delay or frustrate the Bill’s implementation.
Claims involving international assurances
In one of its more serious claims, the Minority said it had been “reliably informed” that President Mahama told British officials during a recent visit that the Bill was not close to becoming law.
It argued that, if true, such assurances would mark a departure from the urgency previously shown by the NDC while in opposition.
The statement also referenced remarks attributed to President Mahama at Chatham House in London, suggesting his administration was in no rush to see the Bill enacted.
Demands
The NPP said the central issue was no longer public support for the legislation, which it insisted remained strong, but whether the governing party could be trusted to uphold its earlier position.
It accused the NDC of using the issue for political advantage during the 2024 election campaign and then changing course after gaining power.
The Minority is demanding that the 2024 version of the Bill be restored in its original form and transmitted to President Mahama for assent.
“The bill passed in 2024 with overwhelming consensus… must be passed in its original state and transmitted for presidential assent,” the statement concluded.
Signed by Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the statement described the situation as a matter of consistency, trust and political credibility.
2024 version
The NPP is also demanding the restoration of the original version of the 2024 Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, insisting it should be transmitted to President John Mahama for assent without further amendments.
The Minority Caucus said its position on the legislation remains unchanged and reiterated its opposition to the normalisation or promotion of LGBTQI+ practices in Ghana.
The caucus argued that the version of the Bill passed in 2024 reflected the cultural, religious and moral convictions of the majority of Ghanaians and should be maintained in its original form.
It said, “The NPP unequivocally rejects the normalisation, promotion or protection of LGBTQI+ values and practices within Ghanaian society. This position is consistent with the views of the people we are in politics to serve, the Ghanaian people.”
The Minority also insisted that the Bill passed in 2024 should be forwarded for presidential assent, arguing that subsequent amendments in Parliament have significantly altered its original intent.
U-turn
The statement accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of shifting its position on the legislation after previously supporting its passage while in opposition.
According to the NPP, the reintroduced Bill has undergone more than 30 amendments, which it described as a departure from the earlier consensus in Parliament.
It further criticised what it called inconsistencies in the NDC’s handling of the legislation, including differing public statements from senior government officials on whether the Bill met parliamentary quorum requirements.
Mahama comments
The Minority also referenced comments attributed to President Mahama suggesting that his administration is not in a rush to see the Bill become law, as well as reported discussions with foreign leaders on the matter.
The NPP said such developments raise concerns about the government’s commitment to the legislation and called for clarity and consistency in its handling.
It maintained that the central issue is whether the governing party will honour its previous stance on the Bill and allow the 2024 version to proceed for assent.
