Accra: Shaibu Mahama, the Chairman of Parliament's Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, has described the erstwhile Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration's failure to assent to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill as a 'blessing in disguise.'
According to Ghana News Agency, the Chairman, also the National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for Daboya-Mankarigu, noted that this development offered the Ninth Parliament an opportunity to revisit the bill and address gaps identified during its initial consideration.
Mr. Mahama made these remarks at a stakeholder engagement on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 held in Accra. He emphasized that the passage of time since the bill was first introduced has allowed for a reevaluation of its clauses, providing an opportunity to incorporate, delete, amend, or reshape the bill as necessary.
However, Mr. Alhassan Suleman, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Committee, expressed disagreement with the Chairman's perspective, urging Parliament to pass the bill in its current form. He argued that the legislation, which was approved by the Eighth Parliament, had already gained broad public acceptance and required minimal changes. He stated that the bill has been accepted by Ghanaians as fit for purpose and should not be altered.
Meanwhile, the principal sponsor of the Bill, Mr. Samuel Nartey George, dismissed concerns about potential economic repercussions. He highlighted that other African countries that have passed similar legislation have not faced adverse economic consequences. He called on the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee to expedite its work to ensure the bill is passed swiftly and assented to by President John Mahama.