ommitment to pass anti-LGBTQ+ Bill by NDC is absent — Baffour Awuah

Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, the Member of Parliament for Manhyia South and Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Subsidiary Legislation Committee, has raised concerns over what he describes as the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s lack of commitment to the passage of the controversial Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.

Speaking during an exclusive interview on JoyNews Desk on May 25, Mr Baffour Awuah claimed the current posture of the government suggests it is no longer genuinely interested in pushing the legislation through Parliament despite earlier public assurances.

According to the lawmaker, the issue became a major political campaign tool for the NDC at a time when public support for the Bill was reportedly overwhelming. He referenced findings from an Afrobarometer survey which indicated that more than 90 percent of Ghanaians supported the passage of the Bill.

“The commitment of the government is absent. It was just politics; it was just meant to carry Ghanaians along because, if you recall, there had been an Afrobarometer survey that said over 90 per cent of Ghanaians wanted the Bill passed, and so it was enough political market for them,” he stated.

Mr Baffour Awuah argued that the widespread public backing made the issue politically attractive and beneficial for campaign messaging ahead of the elections.

“Because if you have over 90 per cent of Ghanaians that want the Bill passed, and you sing their song, they are likely to come to your side politically,” he added.

The Manhyia South MP further alleged that promises made concerning the Bill were primarily aimed at winning electoral support rather than ensuring the legislation’s passage.

He accused the government of failing to deliver on several commitments made to Ghanaians during the campaign period, insisting that the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill has become one of many promises that have not been fulfilled.

“So in their desperation to win power, these are some of the things they stated, but clearly, just like many other issues on which they have disappointed Ghanaians, this is one of them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has directed lawmakers to speed up work on the reintroduced Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill. The Speaker urged Parliament to prioritise the legislation and fast-track deliberations as part of ongoing parliamentary business.

The Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill remains one of the most debated issues in Ghana’s political and social landscape, with strong support from some religious and cultural groups, while human rights organisations and international observers continue to express concerns over its potential impact on individual freedoms and human rights protections.