We can pass it by Friday – Dafeamekpor signals rapid move on LGBTQ bill

The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, says Parliament could pass the reintroduced anti-LGBTQ bill within days once debate on the legislation begins this week.

Speaking on PM Express on Tuesday, the South Dayi MP disclosed that the parliamentary committee handling the bill has completed its work and is prepared to table its report before the House.

“The report will be laid on Thursday,” Mr Dafeamekpor stated during the interview.

According to him, Parliament is ready to move swiftly through the remaining stages of the legislative process once the report is presented.

“When it’s laid, we can take the report, debate it, that’s as part of the principles for second reading, and adopt it,” he explained.

“Once it’s adopted, we move into consideration. Consideration, we can even decide to do consideration on Friday, and pass.”

Mr Dafeamekpor argued that lawmakers are not dealing with an entirely new piece of legislation because Parliament had already passed an earlier version of the bill.

“You see, the Ghanaian family values bill, we have already passed it,” he said.

“It was a certain president who decided not to sign, so the terms of the bill are essentially what Parliament had already passed.”

His remarks suggest that the governing side intends to expedite the legislative process rather than reopen prolonged debates on issues lawmakers believe have previously been settled.

When asked whether the bill would be passed this year, the Majority Chief Whip insisted Parliament would complete work on it within weeks.

“Yes, in a couple of weeks, not even months,” he stated.

“We’ll pass it once we do the second reading on Thursday or Friday, and with consideration, we can pass it.”

He also defended plans for an accelerated process, arguing that Parliament should not be accused of abusing urgency procedures because members are already familiar with the contents of the bill.

“But when we do consideration expeditiously, let the NPP not shout that we are abusing the certificate of urgency,” he said.

“It will be rapidly done, because we cannot be reenacting what we have already read.”

The controversial legislation has generated intense debate both within Ghana and internationally since it was first introduced in Parliament.

Supporters argue the bill is intended to uphold what they describe as Ghanaian family and cultural values, while critics have raised concerns over human rights implications and possible international repercussions.

The reintroduction of the bill is expected to trigger renewed public and political discussions in the coming days.