The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, has assured Ghanaians that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill will be processed swiftly by Parliament and forwarded to John Mahama for assent.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement organised by Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, Sam George emphasised that the legislative process remains active despite concerns about delays following his recent appointment as a minister.
According to him, the bill is currently undergoing clause-by-clause consideration after being referred by the Speaker of Parliament.
“There is no bill before President Mahama today,” he clarified, addressing public misconceptions about the status of the legislation.
He acknowledged concerns raised by religious organisations, noting that their calls for urgency are justified given the sensitivity of the matter.
The bill, widely known as the anti-LGBTQI bill, has sparked intense national debate. It proposes criminal sanctions against same-sex relationships as well as advocacy activities linked to LGBTQI rights.
While it has received strong backing from various religious bodies, it has also drawn criticism from civil society groups and human rights advocates who argue it undermines fundamental freedoms.
Sam George dismissed claims that he and other sponsors have distanced themselves from the bill following his ministerial appointment.
“I have heard people say we’ve abandoned it because I’ve been appointed minister. The process is the process,” he stated, reaffirming his commitment to seeing the legislation through.
He also referenced comments by co-sponsor Ntim Fordjour, who has similarly rejected suggestions that the bill has been sidelined.
According to Sam George, Parliament has already thoroughly examined the clauses of the bill, leaving little room for significant amendments.
“As for the clauses, we have gone through them, we’ve masticated them, and we will go through them expeditiously. The body of the law remains the same,” he said.
The lawmaker further highlighted appeals from influential religious leaders, including the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the office of the National Chief Imam, urging Parliament to consider their positions as deliberations continue.
“I believe that Parliament has a responsibility to grant the Chief Imam his wish and grant the Catholic Bishops their wish,” he added.
Sam George also expressed confidence that President Mahama will assent to the bill once it is passed, although he did not elaborate on the basis of that assurance.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill had previously been passed by an earlier Parliament but failed to receive presidential assent at the time, leading to its eventual lapse.
Its reintroduction and current progression signal a renewed push by its sponsors to see it enacted into law.
As deliberations continue, the bill remains one of the most polarising legislative proposals in Ghana’s recent history, reflecting deep divisions between cultural, religious, and human rights perspectives within the country.
