A minority group of MPs in Parliament has referred to as on the federal government and the proponents of the Human Rights and Household Values Invoice to elucidate why the invoice, handed by Parliament in 2024, was despatched again to Parliament with 31 amendments after it was submitted to President John Mahama in its unique type and failed to realize assent.
At a press convention held at Parliament Home on Monday, the invoice’s sponsor and NPP Asin South MP, Reverend John Nitim Fordjule, stated what he described as a easy however critical query: “What has modified?”
“We held this press convention on behalf of the individuals of Ghana to ask a easy however critical query: What has modified?” he stated.
Reverend Ntim Fordjule burdened that the minority group is “not against the Human Rights and Household Values Invoice” and is “not attacking members on both facet of the Home who supported, sponsored or labored on the invoice.”
However he stated the caucus has two large issues. First, we imagine that the invoice seems to have misplaced among the drive and worth that made it so controversial and the middle of courtroom debate. Secondly, Ghanaians declare that they got the impression that former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo utterly refused to signal the invoice.
He recalled that Congress handed the invoice on February 28, 2024, and that the general public message on the time was easy and clear: “Signal the invoice.”
“It is not ‘reviewing the invoice.’ It is not ‘amending the invoice.’ It is not “repair some clauses first”. “Please signal,” he stated merely.
In accordance with the Assin South MP, former President Akufo-Addo was “underneath intense public stress, criticized, accused of delays and handled as an impediment between the invoice and the individuals of Ghana.”
He maintained that this principle was being actively defended by influential voices throughout the Nationwide Democratic Congress (NDC) and supporters of the invoice, together with Ningo Prampuram MP Samuel Ngati George. Emmanuel Besler, MP for Ho West. Alhassan Sufuini, Tamale North Member of Parliament; and Rockson Nelson Dafaamekpor, South Dye MP.
Citing President Mahama’s reported place, Pastor Ntim Fordjule stated, “The invoice handed within the eighth Parliament was not submitted to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his assent.”
“If that’s the place of the present president, why has President Akufo-Addo change into the goal of public anger over a invoice that was not even correctly introduced to him?” he requested.
He additionally questioned why the previous president can be held answerable for the delay when the invoice was not submitted for approval as a result of it was in courtroom.
Commenting on the modification invoice handed by Parliament on Could 29, 2026, Pastor Ntim Fordjule famous that lawmakers are contemplating 31 amendments, together with deletions, insertions, substitutions, new wording and, in some instances, total articles.
“These modifications transcend minor amendments and have an effect on the drive, significance and authorized nature of the invoice,” he stated.
He gave an instance, noting that in paragraph 1, the phrase “maintain out” is changed by an individual who “identifies and overtly represents or professes to be the individual”.
“If the unique language wasn’t clear sufficient, why have been individuals being instructed this invoice solely required a signature?” he requested.
He additionally highlighted modifications to Article 2, the place “individuals” has been changed with “individuals.” Clause 3 removes and replaces your complete sub-clause defining sexual activity throughout the context of the invoice. Part 6 removes and replaces the availability making it an offense to supply services for prohibited actions.
He additional identified that Article 9 introduces new exceptions overlaying authorized recommendation, authorized illustration, submissions to courts and parliaments, tutorial, scientific and medical opinions, public well being data, counseling companies, journalism, HIV/AIDS companies and privileged communications.
“If attorneys, journalists, lecturers, medical doctors, counselors, public well being staff, and privileged communicators want safety now, why was the invoice launched as in the event that they did not want such safety earlier than?” he requested.
He additionally expressed concern about amendments that will have an effect on provisions associated to the alleged destruction of household values, in addition to modifications to sure crime classifications, similar to misdemeanor provisions and second-degree felony classifications associated to establishments.
Pastor Ntim Fordjule stated the difficulty additionally pertains to the general public document of former President Akufo-Addo, who claimed that he has been portrayed by some individuals as personally sabotaging the invoice regardless of President Mahama’s claims that the courtroom case is ongoing and the invoice has not been submitted for assent.
“That is about public belief. When leaders mobilize the individuals on nationwide points, they should be sincere with the individuals,” he stated.
“You can’t inform Ghanaians yesterday that the invoice solely wants signatures after which come again immediately with amendments with out explaining what occurred within the meantime.”
The minority has listed 9 questions it needs answered, together with: “What prompted the NDC’s change of place? Why was the identical invoice that they declare President Akufo-Addo refused to signal not introduced to President Mahama in the identical type?”
“What particular issues led to the thirty first Modification? When have been these issues recognized? And what modified between the ‘signal it now’ name and the ‘repair it first’ resolution?”
“Till these questions are answered, Ghanaians have the precise to conclude that the story instructed in 2024 just isn’t the entire story they see immediately,” he stated.
The minority, subsequently, calls for fact, accountability, consistency and respect for the intelligence of the Ghanaian individuals.
“On this delicate situation, mere advocacy just isn’t sufficient. Political stress just isn’t sufficient. Silence just isn’t sufficient. Ghanaians want clear solutions,” he stated.
