Assin North MP, Rev Ntim Fordjour
The Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has revealed how some of his colleagues in Parliament attempted to dissuade him from sponsoring the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, also known as the Anti-LGBT+ Bill.
According to him, these colleagues urged him to withdraw his sponsorship after learning of threats of international sanctions planned by some foreign counterparts.
Speaking in an interview with media personality Kafui Dey, in a video shared on YouTube, Rev. Ntim Fordjour admitted that although he has faced some inconveniences due to his sponsorship of the bill, he remains undaunted and will continue to stand by his convictions.
“A lot of things I went through. Sometimes, my colleagues travel to other countries, and when they return, they are scared for me—because of the kinds of things said by foreign counterparts. Even though I am not present at those meetings, my name is mentioned. They come back and say, ‘Is it possible for you to reconsider your stance? Because if they carry out their threats, it will be terrible for you.’ But I say no. I am ready for whatever they will do.
“There have been many other inconveniences here and there, but if you are standing by your convictions, you must be prepared for inconveniences. If you are standing for the truth—standing for what is right and unconventional—you should expect the usual attacks. You need to be bold in this game if you stand for strong convictions,” Ntim Fordjour stated.
When asked if he ever felt that his support for the bill had put his life in danger, the politician and pastor responded in the affirmative.
“Oh yes, we got to that point. But you have to be bold and finish what you started.”
Rev. John Ntim Fordjour was one of the eight MPs who sponsored the previous anti-LGBTQ bill. Among the sponsors, he was the only MP from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), while the remaining seven were from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has announced that the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill—commonly referred to as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill—is set to be introduced for its first reading during the second meeting of the Ninth Parliament.
The proposed legislation aims to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana, as well as the promotion, advocacy, or funding of such activities.
Bagbin made the announcement during his opening remarks to mark the official commencement of Parliament’s second meeting.
“Three private members’ bills—the Property Rights of Spouses Bill 2025, the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana Amendment Bill 2025, and the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2025—have completed the processes as required by the Standing Orders and are expected to be presented for a first reading during the course of this meeting,” he stated.
The bill, which has generated intense national and international debate, was previously passed by the Eighth Parliament. However, it failed to receive presidential assent under former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration and therefore did not become law.
With its reintroduction, the bill is expected to spark renewed discussions on human rights, constitutional freedoms, and Ghana’s cultural values.
Parliament is now poised to begin deliberations on the bill, which remains one of the most polarizing pieces of legislation in the country’s recent political history.
KA