Abu Jinapor accuses gov’t of diluting anti-LGBTQ bill, calls for assent to original 2024 version

Damongo MP and former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has renewed calls for President John Dramani Mahama to assent to the original Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill passed by Parliament in 2024, arguing that amendments introduced to the legislation in 2026 have significantly weakened its provisions.

Speaking amid ongoing national debate over the anti-LGBTQ bill, Mr. Jinapor accused the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) of departing from its earlier position on the legislation by supporting amendments that, in his view, alter the bill's original intent.

According to the former minister, Parliament passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill in 2024, but it was not assented to due to legal challenges that were pending before the Supreme Court at the time.

Mr. Jinapor claimed that the NDC had previously indicated support for the bill and suggested that it would have assented to the legislation if elected into office.

However, he argued that when the bill was reintroduced in Parliament in 2025, the governing majority opted to amend rather than preserve the original text.

He noted that Parliament approved 31 amendments before passing the revised bill on May 29, 2026.

“The amendments have substantially altered the character of the bill and reduced its effectiveness,” he said. “What has emerged is markedly different from the legislation passed in 2024.”

One of his key concerns relates to amendments affecting provisions on the promotion and advocacy of LGBTQ-related activities.

According to Mr. Jinapor, the revised bill introduces exemptions for several entities, including government institutions, non-governmental organisations, development partners, academic institutions, and organisations involved in health-related programmes.

He argued that these exemptions could create legal pathways through which LGBTQ advocacy and related activities may continue under public health or institutional mandates.

The Damongo legislator also criticised a provision stating that nothing in the legislation should prevent institutions from carrying out their lawful duties and functions.

In his view, such a clause could offer protection to organisations whose activities might otherwise be restricted under the original framework of the bill.

“These amendments undermine the core objective of the bill, which is to prohibit LGBTQ activities, advocacy, and the promotion of what many Ghanaians regard as traditional family values,” he stated.

Mr. Jinapor further cited remarks allegedly made by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga during parliamentary deliberations, arguing that they reflected a more moderate approach toward aspects of LGBTQ-related advocacy.

He said such developments reinforce concerns that the amended legislation no longer reflects the intent of the original bill passed by Parliament in 2024.

The former Lands Minister maintained that the most appropriate course of action would be for government to facilitate the passage and presidential assent of the original bill without any modifications.

“The government should assent to the 2024 bill as passed, or reintroduce and pass the same bill verbatim for assent by the President,” he said. “It is as simple as that.”

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill remains one of the most debated pieces of legislation in Ghana, attracting strong support from religious groups and traditional leaders, while also drawing criticism from civil society organisations, human rights advocates, and international stakeholders.

President Mahama recently indicated that further consultations are required before any decision is taken on the bill. He also suggested that the legislation could be referred to the Council of State for advice before presidential assent is considered.