Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has distanced himself from the post-passage processes of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, insisting that his responsibility ended once Parliament approved the legislation.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, June 2, Ayariga stated that decisions relating to the transmission of the bill for presidential assent fall outside his mandate as Majority Leader.
According to him, Parliament had already completed its legislative duties after extensive deliberations on the bill, which contains about 19 clauses.
He noted that much of the legislation had been thoroughly examined during previous sittings, with broad agreement reached between both sides of the House on most provisions.
“We worked with our colleagues on the entire bill from clause one to clause nine. There was no issue. Even where concerns were raised, the committee made recommendations, and we engaged and agreed on several of them.” - Majority Leader
Calls for Further Review Questioned
Ayariga questioned suggestions that the bill should be returned to Parliament for additional consideration, arguing that lawmakers had already spent more than a year debating and refining its contents.
He maintained that areas of disagreement were limited and had largely been resolved through committee engagements, including discussions on provisions relating to professional and institutional freedoms.
“We have kept this bill in this House for one and a half years, and now we are being asked to bring it back again and consider what exactly? I don’t know specifically what provisions need reconsideration.
"I have done my job. I have moved for the bill to be passed. As for whether it will be transmitted for assent or not, that is their business.” - Majority Leader
Debate Continues Over Next Steps
The Majority Leader’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about the future of the bill following concerns raised over the legislative process that led to its passage on May 29.
President John Dramani Mahama has indicated that the legislation requires further review before any decision is taken on presidential assent, citing procedural and constitutional considerations.
Meanwhile, Alban Bagbin has called for renewed consultations involving both Majority and Minority leaders after expressing surprise that the bill had progressed from the consideration stage to final passage.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill remains one of the most closely watched pieces of legislation in Ghana, with public debate continuing over its legal, constitutional, and social implications.
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