If 2024 anti-LGBTQ bill was good, why wasn't same given to Mahama for assent? — Mike Oquaye Jr
2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Dome-Kwabenya, Michael Oquaye Jr., has criticised the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over what he describes as inconsistencies in its position on the anti-LGBTQ bill recently passed by Parliament.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, was passed by Parliament on May 29 after extensive debate on the floor of the House.
The bill seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ activities, advocacy and the promotion of what it describes as non-conventional sexual relations and family values.
It was approved with amendments that exempt certain professionals, including journalists, lawyers and academics whose activities would have been liable under the 2024 version.
Speaking on Accra-based Metro TV's Good Morning Ghana programme on Tuesday, June 9, Mr. Oquaye questioned why the NDC who previously urged former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to assent to the 2024 version but are now defending changes to the legislation under President John Dramani Mahama.
"If you are telling me that a bill is good enough to sign, then change the date and let Mahama sign the same. That is my point," he said.
According to him, it is contradictory to describe the current legislation as an improved version when the ruling party had previously argued that the previous version was fit for presidential assent.
"What is good for the goose then is good for the gander today. If you gave it to the previous President to sign, don't now be disingenuous and say that you are bringing a better bill," he argued.