Ghana’s political arena is once again engulfed in controversy as the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill—widely known as the Anti-LGBTQ Bill—moves to the forefront of national debate. Proponents are intensifying their calls for the legislation’s immediate passage, framing it as both a moral and cultural imperative.

Dr. Tiah Abdul-Kabiru Mahama, Member of Parliament for Walewale and a key sponsor of the bill, insists that there are “no legal or procedural barriers” preventing its swift approval. He contends that, if prioritized by parliamentary leadership, the bill could be passed within 48 hours—citing past instances where urgent bills were fast-tracked under certificates of urgency. Dr. Mahama emphasized that all preparatory steps, including gazetting, have been completed, urging Parliament to act decisively.

Adding further pressure, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, MP for Ho West and co-sponsor of the bill, made a dramatic pledge: he will not seek re-election if the bill is not passed and signed into law. “If it’s not assented to, I will not come back to Parliament again,” Bedzrah declared, framing his position as one grounded in personal conviction rather than political gain. He described his advocacy for the bill—intended to criminalize LGBTQ activities while promoting what supporters call “traditional Ghanaian family values”—as central to both his moral beliefs and his legacy as a legislator.

Tensions escalated further after Bedzrah publicly refuted claims made by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Minority Leader, who suggested that a bipartisan consensus had emerged in 2024 labeling the bill “needless.” Afenyo-Markin also claimed to have engaged high-ranking members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in discussions to amend the legislation during his tenure as Majority Leader. Bedzrah dismissed these assertions as “untruthful” and accused Afenyo-Markin of speaking with “a double tongue.”

According to Bedzrah, the eight-member sponsorship group behind the bill—including Deputy Education Minister Ntim Fordjour—never participated in any secret negotiations or amendment talks. “No one from his office ever reached out to us,” he said, adding that the sponsors have remained united and transparent throughout the process.

Meanwhile, Moses Foh-Amoaning, the Executive Secretary of the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values and a leading voice in the movement, has proposed a different route to expedite the bill’s passage. He suggests reintroducing it as a public bill sponsored by the government rather than as a private member’s bill, which has faced procedural and financial hurdles.

Foh-Amoaning argues that government sponsorship would “eliminate the existing cost and procedural challenges” and better align with President Nana Akufo-Addo’s previously expressed views. He emphasized that the bill is not solely punitive, highlighting provisions for care, treatment, and rehabilitation of individuals—an attempt, he said, to strike a balance between criminalization and compassion.

Discussions are reportedly underway with Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame regarding the withdrawal of the private members’ version to facilitate its reintroduction as a public bill. Foh-Amoaning maintains that this shift could resolve many of the obstacles currently impeding the bill’s progress.

As the debate intensifies, the Anti-LGBTQ Bill continues to divide Ghanaian society. Supporters frame it as a defense of “cultural sovereignty and moral order,” while critics warn it could jeopardize human rights protections and Ghana’s international standing.

With mounting political stakes, public demonstrations, and global attention, the bill’s future now hinges on whether Parliament—and ultimately, the President—will act on one of the most polarizing legislative proposals in Ghana’s recent history.