Member of Parliament for Assin South, John Ntim Fordjour, has sharply criticised the recently passed Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, arguing that exemptions introduced into the legislation have weakened its impact and rendered it largely ineffective. The revised bill, popularly referred to as the anti‑LGBTQ law, provides exemptions for lawyers offering legal representation to persons identified as LGBTQ, journalists and media organisations reporting on related issues, and health professionals delivering medical, psychological, or counselling services.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Friday, May 29, Mr. Fordjour contended that these amendments undermine the bill’s original intent, reducing it to a largely symbolic measure. If this government had no intention of passing the bill, it should have stayed away from it. What we now have is not a law with teeth; it is merely politics and optics,” he asserted.
He argued that the exemptions granted under the legislation undermine efforts to curb the promotion of homosexuality, which he described as the central concern of the bill’s supporters. “If those legally involved and others connected to it have been exempted, then who exactly is being targeted? As far as Section 9 is concerned—which could have addressed the promotion of homosexuality—the bill becomes counterproductive,” he contended.
His remarks follow Parliament’s passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, on Friday, May 29, after extensive debate and consideration of proposed amendments. The changes drew strong opposition from the Minority Caucus, which argued that the revisions suggest the earlier version of the bill submitted under former President Nana Akufo‑Addo was flawed and unfit for purpose.
Source: Patricia Boakye
