We’ll reintroduce and push anti-LGBTQ bill – Assin South MP

The Member of Parliament for Assin South and former Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has accused President John Dramani Mahama of changing his position on the Family Values Bill.

In a radio interview on Accra based Okay FM on Thursday, (January 16, 2025), Rev Fordjour, one of the promoters of the bill in Parliament vowed to reintroduce the bill in the 9th Parliament, saying Mr Mahama’s actions betray the trust of Ghanaians who voted for him.

The Family Values Bill, aimed at preserving Ghana’s cultural and moral values, became a hot topic during the last election.

Mr Mahama had promised to pass the bill under certain conditions during the 2024 electioneering campaign.

However, at a meeting with Catholic Bishops this week, President Mahama a few days after being sworn into office has argued that family values could be promoted through education and curriculum reforms instead of passing a new legislation.

“It is shocking that just six days after taking office, Mahama is telling the Catholic Bishops that the bill is no longer necessary. This is a clear betrayal of the promises he made to Ghanaians,” Rev Fordjour said.

The Assin South MP revealed plans to reintroduce the bill, emphasising that it had already undergone thorough consultations, stakeholder engagement, and even Supreme Court scrutiny.

“This bill has been ruled lawful by the Supreme Court, which confirmed it does not infringe on individual rights. It was developed through extensive consultation with various stakeholders. We will notify Parliament and reintroduce it. Mahama cannot simply walk away from this issue,” he stated.

The Assin South MP stressed that the bill is crucial for addressing concerns over shifting societal norms while safeguarding traditional family values.

Rev Fordjour also highlighted the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) consistent support for the Family Values Bill. He contrasted the NPP’s commitment with Mahama’s perceived lack of clarity.

“Our party has always maintained its position on this matter. Even Dr. Bawumia, as vice president, said he would sign the bill if he became president. Now Mahama, with his overwhelming majority in Parliament, wants to backtrack and shift the focus to the curriculum. Ghanaians will not accept this,” he asserted.

“If he refuses to sign the bill and sticks to a curriculum-based approach, Ghanaians will judge him accordingly. The NPP will continue to push for this bill to become law,” he said.