One of the lead sponsors of the reintroduced Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, Rev. Hon. John Ntim Fordjour, says there are now no legal or constitutional obstacles preventing the legislation from becoming law.
Speaking in an interview on the Channel One Newsroom after the bill’s first reading in Parliament on Tuesday, October 21, Rev. Fordjour expressed strong confidence that this time, the process will move swiftly without the legal and procedural delays that stalled the previous version.
“Our optimism stems from the fact that all the grey areas, all the arguments and all the opinions that were controversial, that needed to be settled… have gone through various courts all the way to the Supreme Court,” he said.
According to the Deputy Minister of Education, Ghana’s highest court has already resolved all concerns raised by critics, clearing any doubts about the bill’s constitutionality.
“The Supreme Court eventually held that no aspects of this bill or provision affront any part of the Constitution, nor does the bill infringe upon any international treaty or convention,” Rev. Fordjour stated.
He added that with the judicial hurdles cleared, Parliament can now focus on ensuring swift passage.
“Any dissenting view that was expressed by any stakeholder has been settled… It is not expected that there are outstanding issues to be determined on it. The expectation is that the processes would rather grind fast for us to be able to pass this bill.”
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, reintroduced this week, seeks to criminalise same-sex relationships, LGBTQ+ advocacy, transgender healthcare, and support for LGBTQ+ groups.
The earlier version of the bill—passed by Parliament but left unsigned—lapsed following the dissolution of Parliament in early 2024. The 2025 version has now gone through its first reading, sponsored by ten Members of Parliament who remain hopeful that it will be passed and signed into law within the current legislative session.
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