By Adnan Adams Mohammed
The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has sent a clear signal to the nation that the executive branch is in total lockstep with Parliament over the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.
In an emphatic interview on Joy FM, Dafeamekpor dismissed any notion of executive hesitation, stating that President John Dramani Mahama is waiting with “dripping ink” to sign the legislation into law as soon as it clears the floor of the House.
“No Minute to Waste”
According to the Majority Chief Whip, the President’s commitment to the bill popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill is absolute.
“I am saying the person who will sign says, ‘My pen is ready. The ink is dripping’,” Dafeamekpor remarked. “If you bring it today, I’ll sign it in the next minute.”
The statement serves to reassure religious bodies, traditional leaders, and conservative advocacy groups who have long championed the bill as a necessary bulwark for Ghana’s cultural and moral foundations.
A Battle of Values vs. Rights
The bill, which seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ advocacy and tighten existing laws against same-sex relations, has become a focal point of intense national and international scrutiny.
● Proponents: Argue the bill is a sovereign necessity to protect the “traditional family structure” and Ghanaian social norms.
● Critics: Human rights organizations and legal experts warn that the bill violates fundamental rights guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution and international treaties.
Legislative Resolve
Despite the looming threat of international sanctions and potential cuts to development funding, Dafeamekpor reaffirmed the Majority’s resolve. He noted that the legislative process is a reflection of the “will of the Ghanaian people” and that the NDC-led majority remains undeterred.
Stakeholder Group Stance Primary Concern
National House of Chiefs Support Preservation of Ghanaian culture.
Christian Council Support Moral and biblical foundations.
Human Rights Orgs Oppose Infringement on personal liberty and safety.
International Partners Oppose Compliance with global human rights standards.
The bill is currently undergoing final legislative refinements after being reintroduced in the 9th Parliament following its lapse at the end of the previous term. With the Chief Whip’s latest assurance, the path from Parliament to the Jubilee House appears shorter than ever.
“We want to assure the nation… this bill, we will pass it,” Dafeamekpor concluded, signaling that the final hurdle the Presidential signature is effectively a formality.
