Ntim Fordjour Vows to Protect Anti-LGBTQ Bill from Amendments as Parliament Reconsiders Legislation

Deputy Minister of Education and Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has reaffirmed that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill — widely referred to as the Anti-LGBTQ Bill — will be passed in its original form despite what he describes as covert efforts to weaken its content.

Rev. Fordjour claimed that certain influential figures were attempting to influence or modify sections of the legislation before its reintroduction to Parliament. He warned, however, that proponents of the bill remain determined to ensure that every provision stands as it was approved by the 8th Parliament.

“We have observed some manipulations and attempts to water down the bill,” Rev. Fordjour said. “All the clauses, every essential component of the bill, remain exactly as they were passed by the last Parliament. We will not accept any changes, and we will resist every attempt to alter its key components.”

Bill Returns to Parliament (Ntim Fordjour)

The MP’s comments come as the new Parliament prepares to reconsider the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which must be reintroduced following the automatic dissolution of the 8th Parliament in January 2025. Under Ghana’s legislative procedures, any bill that has not received presidential assent before a new Parliament is sworn in must begin the legislative process afresh.

The bill, originally passed in February 2024, seeks to criminalize same-sex relationships, public advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, and what it defines as “promotion of unnatural sexual behaviour.” It prescribes penalties, including imprisonment, for individuals and organizations found guilty of supporting or facilitating LGBTQ+ activities.

Supporters of the bill argue that it reflects Ghana’s moral and cultural values and safeguards the traditional family structure. Opponents, however, say it violates constitutional rights, encourages discrimination, and risks tarnishing Ghana’s reputation as a democracy that upholds human rights.

According to Rev. Fordjour, the bill has broad public backing and represents a collective moral consensus that Parliament must not disregard.

“Ghanaians have expressed themselves clearly on this matter,” he said. “As legislators, we have a duty to protect the moral fabric of our society and uphold the will of the people. Any attempt to alter the bill would amount to betraying the trust of those who elected us.”

His remarks also signal growing concern among lawmakers that external pressure — particularly from diplomatic and donor communities — could influence Parliament’s handling of the bill. International observers, including the United Nations, Amnesty International, and Western governments, have urged Ghana to reconsider aspects of the legislation they say contravene global human rights conventions.

Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ bill has drawn attention far beyond its borders. The legislation mirrors a wider continental trend, following similar measures in Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria. In May 2023, Uganda passed its Anti-Homosexuality Act, imposing severe penalties for same-sex relations, despite global criticism and aid suspensions from Western partners.

Analysts say Ghana’s decision will likely shape the tone of Africa’s broader human rights dialogue and influence international relations. The United States and the European Union have repeatedly warned that adopting the bill without modification could affect economic cooperation, particularly in trade and aid agreements tied to governance and human rights standards.

For Ghana, which is currently implementing an International Monetary Fund (IMF)-supported economic recovery programme, potential donor backlash could complicate fiscal management and international credit relations.

Domestically, the bill enjoys strong support from many faith-based organizations, traditional authorities, and sections of the public. A 2023 survey by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) found that over 80% of Ghanaians opposed the legalization of same-sex relations, citing moral, cultural, and religious reasons.

Religious leaders from both Christian and Islamic communities have also voiced their endorsement of the bill. The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) and the Chief Imam’s Office have both emphasized the need to “protect Ghana’s cultural identity.”

However, human rights advocates and civil society groups, including the Ghana Center for Democratic Development and Human Rights Watch, have cautioned that the bill could fuel stigma, violence, and abuse against LGBTQ+ individuals. Some have also expressed concern that the bill’s vague language could be used to target journalists, activists, and organizations perceived to be sympathetic to minority groups.

Legal experts note that Ghana’s 1992 Constitution guarantees equality before the law and protection of personal freedoms. They warn that the bill, in its current form, could be challenged in court on grounds of unconstitutionality.

Professor Kwaku Asare, a constitutional lawyer, argued in a recent commentary that “lawmakers must strike a balance between protecting societal values and upholding the human rights framework that Ghana’s democracy is built upon.”

Meanwhile, proponents like Rev. Fordjour insist that the bill has been carefully crafted within Ghana’s legal boundaries and reflects the moral expectations of the citizenry.

As Parliament prepares to revisit the bill, it faces pressure to balance domestic expectations with international diplomatic realities. Lawmakers are expected to debate the motion for its reintroduction before the end of the year, after which it will undergo the mandatory readings and committee review process.

While Rev. Fordjour and other sponsors remain steadfast in defending the bill’s original content, the outcome may ultimately depend on how the House manages competing interests from within and outside the country.

For now, the Assin South legislator’s message is clear: the bill, as passed by the previous Parliament, will return unchanged. “We will pass it in the same form we approved before,” he stressed.

The renewed debate over the Anti-LGBTQ Bill places Ghana at a pivotal point in its human rights discourse. Beyond moral and cultural arguments, the legislation will test Parliament’s resolve in navigating one of the most polarizing issues of the Fourth Republic — balancing traditional values, constitutional freedoms, and global partnerships.

Whether Ghana opts for an uncompromising stance or a more diplomatic middle ground, the outcome is certain to shape its image and legislative direction for years to come.

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