Ho West MP Emmanuel Bedzrah has dismissed claims by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin that a high-level consensus between the NDC and NPP in 2024 deemed the controversial Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill “needless.”
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Tuesday, the bill co-sponsor described the claims as “untruthful,” insisting that the Effutu MP never engaged the bill’s sponsors in any agreement or amendment discussions.
“For crying out loud, you can ask Moses Foh-Amaning when we met as a group of sponsors. I was leading this whole business until we appointed Sam George as our spokesperson. If there was anybody who needed to be spoken to, it was me. Honourable Afenyo-Markin has never come to us as sponsors to change, amend, or even hold the bill,” Mr. Bedzrah stated.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin had earlier claimed that, while serving as Majority Leader in the last Parliament, he consulted high-ranking NDC figures before the bill was passed for presidential assent. Mr. Bedzrah, however, insisted no such meeting took place.
“Those people above us call us as party folks who were pushing for the bill. I am telling you on authority that Sam George did not inform us that anybody had called him. Our party was behind us. We meet as eight members, including Ntim Fordjour, to agree on how to proceed,” he added.
Bedzrah also rejected suggestions that the NDC betrayed Afenyo-Markin following supposed backroom negotiations.
“In Parliament, any such negotiations would have to involve the sponsors. If it were a ministry, you speak to the ministry. Nobody had any conversation with us. Otherwise, we would have backed down. You came thinking that because you are Majority Leader, people should just comply,” he said.
He further questioned Afenyo-Markin’s current advocacy for the bill, calling it contradictory.
“This is the first time I’m hearing this, and I am surprised that the same Minority Leader now stands in Parliament advocating for the bill. What kind of double tongue is this?” he asked.
Emphasizing his personal conviction, Mr. Bedzrah declared that his political career hinges on the bill’s passage.
“I can say on principle that if this bill is not assented to, I will not come back to Parliament again. This is a live studio, and I’m saying it — I’ve told my colleagues the same. What do I come to do if I don’t have a moral principle for my generations unborn?” he said.
He stressed that his stance is rooted in principle rather than politics.
“That is my whole life. I did not enter Parliament just to be an MP. Our principles must be defended. Some of us are not there to do politics. We are there for a purpose — for the forward movement and advancement of this country. I’m very passionate about it,” Mr. Bedzrah concluded.