The Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has issued a stern caution to individuals engaged in LGBTQ practices, urging them to desist or risk facing the full force of the law once the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, is signed by President John Dramani Mahama. His remarks follow Parliament’s passage of the controversial legislation on Friday, May 29, after extensive debate and consideration of multiple amendments. The bill, which addresses matters of human sexual rights and family values, has been among the most hotly contested in recent years, drawing strong backing from its sponsors and equally firm opposition from rights advocacy groups.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Friday, Mr. Ayariga stressed that individuals identifying as LGBTQ would be required to alter their behaviour once the law takes effect. He, however, cautioned against violence, emphasising that the legislation does not sanction mob justice or attacks on persons suspected of LGBTQ practices.
“Mob action is seriously frowned upon in the bill, and indeed, it has very serious consequences. Anybody attacking, assaulting, lynching any person accused or suspected of practicing LGBTQ will be punished even more than the practitioners of LGBTQ,” he added. He stressed that the passage of the bill marks a turning point, insisting that enforcement will begin once it receives presidential assent.
“You will have to change. That’s the response I will give to that person,” he said. “If you’re a boy, you shouldn’t be wearing the dresses of girls around town… if you know that you’ve been practising LGBTQ in this country, with this bill having been passed today, immediately it is assented to by the President, you will have to change,” he said.
Source: Isaac Appiah-Kubi
