Source: Nana Achiaa Aboagye

The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused President John Dramani Mahama and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of engaging in what it describes as a “grand deception” over the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

Addressing a press conference, Member of Parliament for Assin South, John Ntim Fordjour, said the NDC had, for years, “weaponised” the bill for political gain while in opposition, only to abandon its urgency after assuming power in 2025.

“For years, the NDC weaponised the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, using it as a political tool to deceive eminent clergy, traditional leaders, and the good people of Ghana,” he stated.

Background and Political Shift

According to the NPP, the bill—first introduced in 2021 as a private member’s bill—was jointly sponsored by bipartisan MPs, including leading NDC figures such as Samuel Nartey George and others.

Mr Fordjour noted that during the 2024 election campaign, then-candidate Mahama strongly endorsed the bill and criticised former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for delaying assent.

“He presented himself as the ultimate defender of Ghanaian family values and promised to sign the bill into law,” Fordjour said.

However, the NPP claims that since assuming office, the Mahama administration has shifted from firm advocacy to what it calls a “cautious and process-driven approach.”

Government’s Position

The NPP cited engagements between the President and religious bodies, including the Catholic Bishops Conference and the Christian Council of Ghana, where the President reportedly suggested a government-sponsored bill instead of the earlier private member’s bill.

At one point, President Mahama also described the previous bill as “effectively dead” following the expiration of the 8th Parliament, arguing for broader stakeholder consultations before reintroduction.

Despite reaffirming his opposition to same-sex marriage in later engagements, the NPP insists that the urgency once attached to the bill has diminished significantly.

“Strategic Distancing” Allegation

The NPP further criticised the President’s recent remarks, particularly during a March 31, 2026 engagement with civil society organisations, where he reportedly indicated that the bill was no longer a top priority.

“To advocate so aggressively for a policy in opposition, only to dismiss it as a low priority in government, is the height of hypocrisy and deception,” Fordjour asserted.

The party also accused the President of presenting “two faces” to both local and international audiences, referencing comments by the African Human Rights Coalition.

Education Controversy

Another key issue raised was the alleged inclusion of LGBTQI+ concepts in school curricula. The NPP claimed that despite earlier assurances to promote Ghanaian family values through education, government agencies such as the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) and the Ghana Education Service approved materials containing controversial definitions of gender.

“Instead of protecting our children, the government used the curriculum to covertly lay the groundwork to indoctrinate them,” Fordjour alleged.

Government officials have previously described the inclusion as an “anomaly.”

NPP Demands

The NPP is calling for:

-A realignment of government priorities to fast-track the bill
-A formal apology from the NDC to religious and traditional leaders
-Swift parliamentary action to pass the reintroduced bill
-The party specifically urged Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana ——Kingsford Bagbin to ensure the bill is passed without delay.

Conclusion

“We will continue to hold this government accountable and ensure that the will of the Ghanaian people is not sacrificed for political exploitation,” Fordjour concluded.

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill remains one of Ghana’s
most debated legislative proposals, drawing strong opinions from political actors, religious groups, and civil society.