The Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, has described the newly passed Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, as a weakened version of the legislation previously approved by Parliament.
According to the lawmaker, the latest bill contains several amendments that have reduced its strength and effectiveness, compared to the version passed by the Eighth Parliament.
Parliament on Friday, May 30, 2026, approved the bill, popularly known as the anti-gay bill, after introducing a number of changes.
The legislation seeks to criminalise LGBTQ-related activities in Ghana, but the revised version includes exemptions for certain individuals and institutions.
Speaking after the passing of the bill, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah questioned why the current Majority had accepted amendments that were proposed by the previous Akufo-Addo administration but were rejected at the time.
He argued that concerns raised by the former government regarding aspects of the original bill have now been incorporated into the new legislation, resulting in what he believes is a less comprehensive law.
“The concerns that were raised by the previous government and were not accepted at the time have now found their way into the bill. What has been passed is a much watered-down version of the original legislation,” he said.
The Manhyia South MP also accused the Majority of changing its position on the matter, saying the principles used to judge the bill should not differ depending on which political party is in power.
“What was right yesterday should still be right today. If something was considered wrong before, it should remain wrong. You cannot change your position simply because circumstances have changed,” he stated.
The MP maintained that the version passed by the previous Parliament was stronger and more effective in addressing the concerns that led to the introduction of the bill.
He argued that the earlier legislation was carefully crafted to close potential loopholes and ensure that individuals could not easily avoid its provisions.
“In my view, the bill passed by the Eighth Parliament was more comprehensive and watertight. It addressed the issues directly and left little room for people to escape its application,” he said.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill remains one of the most controversial pieces of legislation in Ghana.
While supporters argue that it is necessary to protect Ghana’s cultural and family values, critics continue to raise concerns about its impact on human rights and constitutional freedoms.
