The Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has issued a sharp warning to Assin South MP Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, urging him to stop framing the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill — widely known as the anti-LGBTQ bill — as an NPP-driven agenda. He insists the proposed legislation is a bipartisan national effort, not the property of any political party.
His comments follow claims by Rev. Ntim Fordjour that government is attempting to stall the bill’s return to Parliament’s order paper — allegations Dafeamekpor says are misleading and without basis.
Speaking on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on Friday, November 21, the Majority Chief Whip dismissed Fordjour’s assertions as “propaganda,” emphasising that the bill has already been reintroduced by several private members, including Fordjour himself, in line with parliamentary procedure.
Dafeamekpor stressed that Parliament remains committed to passing the bill but must first complete work on the national budget, which constitutionally takes precedence over private members’ business.
“We are interested in passing this bill into law, and we will do so after the budget is passed. With that, we will have enough time to deal with it,” he assured.
He further clarified that the reintroduced bill will require fresh public participation, including new memoranda and stakeholder inputs, due to its similarity to the earlier version.
But his most pointed message was directed at Ntim Fordjour. Dafeamekpor cautioned that presenting the bill as an NPP agenda is inaccurate and risks undermining the bipartisan cooperation that has sustained the legislation from the start.
“He must speak in a manner that carries everyone along. This is a bipartisan bill. He shouldn’t make it appear as though it is an NPP agenda,” he warned.
With the bill now slated for consideration after the budget, Dafeamekpor emphasised the need for unity and clarity to prevent political tension and public confusion.
