Mahama told UK Prime Minister anti-LGBTQ+ bill is far from becoming law — Minority alleges

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Minority Caucus in Parliament has accused President John Dramani Mahama of lacking the commitment to assent to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

The bill, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, was passed by Parliament on May 29, 2026, after the earlier version expired without receiving presidential assent.

Before its passage, lawmakers introduced a number of amendments creating exemptions for legal representation, parliamentary and court proceedings, academic and scientific work, journalism, public health services, counselling, HIV and AIDS programmes, and other constitutionally protected communications.

In a statement issued on Thursday, June 4, and signed by Minority Leader Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the caucus alleged that President Mahama had privately assured British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that the legislation was still far from becoming law.

The Minority also cited remarks made by President Mahama during his engagement at Chatham House in London this week, where he raised concerns about quorum and procedural issues surrounding the bill's passage.

“We note also that President John Dramani Mahama, in remarks made during his public engagement at Chatham House in London this week, appeared to suggest that his administration is in no hurry whatsoever to see the Bill become law,” the statement said.

“We have further been reliably informed that certain assurances were given by the President to the British Prime Minister at No. 10 Downing Street that the Bill remains far from becoming law,” the statement added.

According to the Minority, if the alleged assurances are accurate, they would represent a significant departure from the position the National Democratic Congress (NDC) championed while in opposition.

The caucus also accused the governing party of inconsistency, arguing that the extensive amendments made to the bill differ substantially from the version Parliament passed in 2024.

The Minority stressed that the original 2024 bill should be passed in its unamended form and transmitted to the President for assent.