The Minority in Parliament has accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of exploiting the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill—commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ bill—for political gain during the 2024 general elections, only to retreat from its commitments after assuming office.
Speaking at the Minority Caucus’ “Holding Government to Account” press conference, Minority Leader and Effutu MP, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, said the NDC and its MPs had openly promised to pass and assent to the bill once in power but have failed to follow through.
According to him, the party’s current stance contradicts its campaign promises, particularly amid recent controversy over LGBTQ-related content in the Senior High School curriculum, which the government has described as an error.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin also questioned President John Dramani Mahama’s explanation that the government is conducting broader consultations to refine the bill, describing it as inconsistent with the party’s earlier position while in opposition.
He further alleged that Minority MPs’ efforts to advance the bill through a private member’s motion were deliberately blocked by the Majority using procedural tactics.
“We hear His Excellency say the government is engaging in wider consultations to see how the law could be formulated better. But wasn’t it the same law they said was ready to pass? When Minority members tried to pin them to their own principles through a private members’ bill, the Majority found procedural ways to block it and even tried to blame the Clerk of Parliament,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin insisted that the NDC used the anti-LGBTQ bill to secure political power and is now attempting to distance itself from the matter.
“We hold the view that the NDC exploited this law for power, and now that reality has set in, they are trying to run away from it. We will insist that they act according to their own principles,” he added.
