… However, the Majority in Parliament has defended the revised bill, with Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga explaining that the amendments were intended to provide clarity and ensure that legitimate professional activities are not criminalised under the law. …
… Jinapor also referenced previous remarks allegedly made by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga during parliamentary proceedings, claiming they reflected a softer approach toward aspects of LGBTQ-related advocacy. …
… Jinapor also referenced previous remarks allegedly made by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga during parliamentary proceedings, claiming they reflected a softer approach toward aspects of LGBTQ-related advocacy. …
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has rejected claims that Parliament breached its procedures in passing the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, insisting that the process followed established parliamentary practice. …
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has accused the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) of hoping the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would fail to deliver on its promise to pass the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill. …
… Meanwhile, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has warned individuals engaged in LGBTQ+ practices to “change your ways now,” insisting that once the bill receives presidential assent, they will face the full force of the law.
… The bill’s passage in Parliament was marked by sharp exchanges between Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, particularly over clauses relating to exemptions for certain professional groups. …
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, urged Parliament to serve as guarantor of press freedom and defend the civil liberties that Ghanaians have fought for. He cautioned against diminishing these freedoms "in moments of political convenience" and called on Parliament to tolerate criticism and demonstrate that democratic institutions are stronger than any individual administration.
Why it matters
Parliamentary Minority Leader calls on Parliament to defend press freedom and civil liberties as essential democratic safeguards.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, urged Parliament to serve as guarantor of press freedom and defend the civil liberties that Ghanaians have fought for. He cautioned against diminishing these freedoms "in moments of political convenience" and called on Parliament to tolerate criticism and demonstrate that democratic institutions are stronger than any individual administration.
Parliament's Majority caucus met with President Mahama to discuss welfare matters affecting MPs, but the Minority objected to the exclusion, with Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin arguing that if the President is inviting Parliament, all parliamentarians should be included.
Parliament will reinstate Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin as a member of Ghana's eight-member delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, replacing Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei who opted out. His earlier presence at the delegation's inauguration in Abuja reportedly caused ECOWAS Parliament to refuse to swear in the entire delegation, prompting the Majority Leader to refer him to the Privileges Committee for investigation.
Ghana's 1-0 victory over Panama in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match prompted lighthearted exchanges in Parliament on June 18, with Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga referencing the Weija-Gbawe MP's earlier remarks linking the match result to government performance.
Mahama Ayariga told Parliament that the NPP must produce former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta to face accountability in Ghana before the party can ask Ghanaians for another chance to govern, following reports that Ofori-Atta obtained permanent residency in the United States.
The Majority Leader criticised the Minority in Parliament after reports that Ken Ofori-Atta, the former Finance Minister, was granted permanent residency in the United States, reminding the Minority of their earlier promises to bring him back to Ghana for accountability.
Speaker Bagbin, through First Deputy Speaker Ahiafor, stated that Parliament must create meaningful opportunities for young people and underrepresented groups to engage in democratic processes and contribute to national development. The statement was made at the launch of the "Parliament & You" Educational Series, aimed at promoting civic education among children and helping them understand Parliament and governance.
Ghana's Majority Leader has called on young people to defend Parliament and other democratic institutions, noting that Parliament is uniquely where different political parties can coexist under the constitution, unlike the Executive which is controlled by a single party. He endorsed a new educational series, "Parliament and You," a partnership between Parliament and Junior Graphic to teach approximately 50,000 children aged 10–17 about parliamentary functions and democratic governance.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has stated that the NDC's decision to concede power after losing the 2000 elections demonstrated its democratic objective and commitment to presidential term limits enshrined in the 1992 Constitution. He affirmed that this act of giving up power sowed the seeds for democracy in Ghana.
Ghana's Minority Caucus in Parliament is calling for the government's Anti-Flood Taskforce report to be presented to the House for review, citing recent flooding in Accra and arguing that the taskforce, established a year ago, has delivered little visible improvement. The Majority Leader counters that the taskforce should be given more time to complete its mandate.
Parliament's Speaker claimed the House did not suspend Order 172(1) of the Standing Orders before passing the anti-LGBTQI+ bill on Friday, 29 May 2026, but the record of proceedings shows the Majority Chief Whip moved a motion to suspend that very order before proceeding with third reading.
The principal sponsor of Ghana's Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill says the version passed by Parliament on May 29, 2026, underwent 22 deletions and 31 insertions during committee consideration, fundamentally altering the legislation and weakening its enforcement provisions compared to the 2024 version.
Damongo MP Samuel Abu Jinapor has urged President John Dramani Mahama to assent to the original anti-LGBTQ bill passed by Parliament in 2024, arguing that 31 amendments introduced by the current Parliament have significantly weakened the legislation and altered its character.
Damongo MP Samuel Abu Jinapor has called on President Mahama to assent to the original anti-LGBTQ bill passed by Parliament in 2024, alleging that the NDC government has departed from its commitment by approving 31 amendments to the legislation that have weakened it before its passage on May 29, 2026.
Joy Online explains that Speaker Alban Bagbin can only appeal—not order—MPs to revisit the anti-LGBTQI bill, since he is not a voting member. His request rests on claims of procedural breach (violations of Orders 170, 171, 172) and lack of demonstrable consensus on the floor.
Mahama Ayariga rejected claims that Parliament breached procedures in passing the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, stating that the process followed established parliamentary practice and that Parliament regularly uses motions to abridge time to expedite legislative business.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga accused the opposition NPP of hoping the NDC government would fail to pass the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, alleging that NPP concerns raised during parliamentary consideration were intended to create difficulties rather than improve the legislation.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has rejected Speaker Alban Bagbin's call to revisit the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, insisting that Parliament validly passed it in compliance with Standing Orders and that the Speaker has no authority to reverse the decision.
President Mahama said the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, passed by Parliament on May 29, will undergo further legal and constitutional scrutiny in the Presidency before he can assent to it. He noted procedural issues—including questions about quorum and parliamentary process—mean the bill still has several stages to navigate.
President John Mahama said the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, passed by Parliament on May 29, has not yet reached the Presidency and remains subject to outstanding procedural and constitutional considerations, including quorum concerns. He noted the Speaker of Parliament was addressing alleged lapses in the bill's passage, and that once transmitted to the Presidency, it would undergo legal review by the Attorney General before any decision on assent.
Isaac Boamah-Nyarko, Effia MP and Finance Committee member, has accused the NDC government of weakening the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill through amendments introduced after its reintroduction in Parliament. He argues that if the previous version was fit for purpose, it should have been reintroduced unchanged, and contends the amendments address criticisms that were raised during Eighth Parliament debates.
Parliament has passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin accused the NDC-led Majority of double standards, claiming they now support amendments to the bill that they had rejected when in opposition.
Ghana's Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has defended the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill after Parliament approved it, insisting that amendments made during deliberations have not weakened its core objective of criminalising LGBTQ+ activities, advocacy and promotion in Ghana. Ayariga argued that amendments were designed to ensure constitutional viability, particularly regarding media reporting and legal representation provisions.
Co-sponsors of Ghana's controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, including MPs John Ntim Fordjour and Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, are resisting proposed exemptions for journalists, medical professionals, and lawyers, arguing the provisions would weaken the bill's intent and create loopholes for promotion of LGBTQ activities.
A citizen has filed a petition with CHRAJ demanding an investigation into President John Mahama over conflict-of-interest allegations related to the takeover of the Damang Mine by the President's brother, Ibrahim Mahama, whose firm E&P received the concession from Gold Fields in April 2026. The petitioner invokes constitutional articles barring public officers from placing themselves in situations of personal interest conflict.
The Minority caucus has pressured the government to present the Bank of Ghana's 2025 audited financial statements to Parliament, warning that failure to meet statutory timelines under the Bank of Ghana Act could breach the law. The demand comes amid political controversy over the Central Bank's financial condition and disputes between the governing NDC and opposition NPP over the extent of losses.
The Majority Leader has announced adjusted parliamentary sitting times to allow MPs to travel to their constituencies ahead of Eid ul-Adha celebrations: Tuesday, May 26 will begin at 10:00 a.m., while Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29 will start at 2:00 p.m. The Business Committee proposed the revised schedule to enable Members to return to Accra in time for full parliamentary participation.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has urged that discussions on the Damang mining concession should not be politicised, noting that the beneficiary received a "no objection" indication under the previous NPP administration. He explained that the original concession holder had sought approval for a local operator to take over when it intended to exit the mine.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga described Ghana's Parliament as one of the most transparent legislative institutions in Africa, ranking second in openness and public accessibility. He attributed this partly to reforms including live television broadcasts of parliamentary proceedings and improvements in media coverage and citizen engagement.
Mahama Ayariga, the Bawku MP and Majority Leader, defended the current NDC administration's economic stewardship in Parliament, arguing Ghana is experiencing one of its fastest economic recoveries and has stabilized after what he characterized as mismanagement under the previous NPP government.