Minority Rejects Proposed Amendments to Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025

The Minority in Parliament has opposed proposed amendments to Clause 9 of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, widely known as the anti-LGBTQ bill.

The proposed changes seek to exempt lawyers providing legal representation to persons identified as LGBT from sanctions under the bill. The amendments also aim to protect journalists and media organisations reporting on LGBT-related matters in the course of their work, as well as professionals offering medical, psychological, surgical or counselling services.

Addressing Parliament on Friday, May 29, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga explained that the amendments are intended to clearly define exemptions so that professional duties and routine activities are not interpreted as promoting LGBT activities.

According to him, concerns raised by the media and legal professionals influenced the proposed revisions. He said journalists argued that parts of the bill could undermine freedom of expression, while lawyers warned that it could infringe on professional obligations and access to legal services.

However, the sponsor of the bill and Member of Parliament for Assin South, John Ntim Fordjour, together with Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, strongly objected to the proposed amendments.

The lawmakers argued that introducing such exemptions could weaken the intent of the legislation and suggested that the earlier version submitted for presidential assent under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was being undermined.

Rev. Ntim Fordjour warned that any attempt to approve the exemptions would face resistance from supporters of the bill, insisting that the provisions could create loopholes for promoting activities the legislation seeks to prohibit.