Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has given strong assurances that President John Dramani Mahama is fully prepared to assent to the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill once it is duly passed by Parliament and presented to him for approval.
Speaking in an interview on Accra-based Joy FM, Mr. Dafeamekpor stated that the President harbours no reservations about signing the bill, stressing that President Mahama is poised to give it immediate assent when the legislative process is completed.
The Majority Chief Whip said the President’s commitment to the bill is unwavering.
“I am saying the person who will sign says, ‘My pen is ready. The ink is dripping’. If you bring it today, I’ll sign it in the next minute.”
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which has generated intense national and international debate, seeks to regulate issues surrounding sexual orientation, gender identity, family values, and related advocacy activities in Ghana.
Supporters of the bill, including several religious bodies, traditional leaders, and conservative civil society groups, argue that it is necessary to protect Ghana’s cultural values, moral foundations, and the traditional family structure.
However, the bill has also attracted strong criticism from human rights organisations, legal experts, and sections of the international community, who contend that its provisions could infringe on fundamental human rights guaranteed under Ghana’s Constitution and international human rights conventions to which the country is a signatory.
Mr. Dafeamekpor reaffirmed the ruling majority’s resolve to see the bill passed, insisting that Parliament remains committed to reflecting the will of the Ghanaian people.
“We want to assure the nation and all the faith-based institutions and religious bodies that this bill, we will pass it just like a year ago, before we even kickstart that project, the president is in readiness to sign.”
