A communications team member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has questioned whether the Anti-LGBTQ Bill recently passed by Parliament retains the same provisions contained in the original legislation approved during the previous administration.
Johnson Ayine said concerns have emerged over reports that some sections of the bill may have been amended before its latest passage.
Speaking on Dreamz FM’s Breakfast Today programme, Mr Ayine said many Ghanaians are seeking clarity on whether the current legislation mirrors the version previously transmitted under the Akufo-Addo administration.
“People are asking whether the bill passed now is exactly the same as the one that was earlier approved by Parliament,” he said.
Mr Ayine rejected suggestions that the former NPP government lacked commitment to the legislation, arguing that constitutional and legal considerations influenced the handling of the bill at the time.
He maintained that public discussions surrounding the legislation should focus on transparency and the contents of the bill rather than partisan politics.
The NPP communicator also criticized attempts to portray the party as opposed to the legislation, noting that lawmakers from both major political parties supported the original bill during parliamentary deliberations.
According to Mr Ayine, concerns raised by some stakeholders regarding amendments to the legislation deserve public attention and clarification.
The Anti-LGBTQ Bill remains one of Ghana’s most debated pieces of legislation, drawing support from many religious and traditional groups while facing criticism from international human rights organizations and some civil society groups.
The bill now awaits presidential consideration following its latest passage by Parliament.
