The Private Member’s Bill, which enjoys bi-partisan sponsorship, was passed in the Eighth Parliament but did not receive presidential assent and consequently lapsed at the end of that Parliament.
Last week, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, directed the Business Committee of Parliament to reschedule the Bill for consideration after it was withdrawn from the Order Paper.
The Bill is sponsored by Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South; Mr Samuel Nartey George, MP for Ningo-Prampram; Mr Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah, MP for Ho West; Mrs Helen Adjoa Ntoso, MP for Krachi West; and Mr Nurideen Muhammad Mummuni, MP for Nalerigu/Gambaga.
Other sponsors are Mr Vincent Ekow Assafuah, MP for Old Tafo; Mr Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana, MP for Gushegu; Ms Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, MP for La-Dadekotopon; Dr Tiah Abdul-Kabiru Mahama, MP for Walewale; and Mr Anthony Mmieh, MP for Odotobri.
In reintroducing the Bill on Tuesday, Rev Fordjour stated that it was consistent with Ghanaian cultural norms and values, which oppose same-sex marriage.
He cited findings from an Afrobarometer survey conducted by CDD-Ghana, which revealed that 93 per cent of Ghanaians consider the promotion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) activities unacceptable.
He dismissed suggestions that enthusiasm from the Majority Caucus had waned, a claim later rejected by the Majority Leader, who affirmed the caucus’s commitment to the passage of the Bill.
Rev Fordjour expressed optimism that the House would act swiftly.
“Mr Speaker, it is the expectation of the sponsors of this Bill, which is a bipartisan Bill, that the House passes it with urgency before recess.
“This is not a new Bill but one that has already undergone all legal processes and consultations,” he said.
Presiding over proceedings, Mr Bernard Ahiafor, First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, directed that the leadership of the Human Rights Committee join the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee in considering the Bill.
GNA
