The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of abandoning the position it previously held on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, describing the shift as “political deceit” following the passage of the amended legislation.

In a strongly worded statement seen by Asaase News, the NPP said the NDC had performed a “dramatic U-turn” on the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill after assuming power, despite previously insisting that the law should be passed without compromise.

The Minority Caucus reiterated its opposition to the normalisation, promotion or protection of LGBTQ+ practices in Ghana, saying its position remains unchanged.

According to the NPP, the original Bill passed unanimously by the 8th Parliament in 2024 reflected the cultural, religious and moral values of Ghanaians.

However, it alleged that the governing party, which supported the Bill while in opposition, is now backing extensive amendments that significantly alter its contents.

The NPP claimed the reintroduced Bill has undergone more than 30 amendments, which it described as a “fundamental breach of faith” with the Ghanaian people.

“It is, therefore, both strange and hypocritical for the NDC to have demanded immediate presidential assent to the 2024 Bill, only to return to Parliament and substantially rewrite that same Bill upon assuming office,” the statement said.

The opposition further questioned President John Mahama’s handling of the legislation, saying expectations had been set during the 2024 election period that the Bill would be assented to in its original form.

It also pointed to reported divisions within the governing party over the amended Bill, including disagreements over whether Parliament met the required quorum during its passage.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has reportedly called for the Bill to be returned for a fresh Consideration Stage, while the Majority Leader is said to oppose the move.

The NPP said these contradictions suggest attempts to delay or frustrate the Bill’s implementation.

In one of its more serious claims, the Minority said it had been “reliably informed” that President Mahama told British officials during a recent visit that the Bill was not close to becoming law.

It argued that, if true, such assurances would mark a departure from the urgency previously shown by the NDC while in opposition.

The statement also referenced remarks attributed to President Mahama at Chatham House in London, suggesting his administration was in no rush to see the Bill enacted.

The NPP said the central issue was no longer public support for the legislation, which it insisted remained strong, but whether the governing party could be trusted to uphold its earlier position.

It accused the NDC of using the issue for political advantage during the 2024 election campaign and then changing course after gaining power.

The Minority is demanding that the 2024 version of the Bill be restored in its original form and transmitted to President Mahama for assent.

“The bill passed in 2024 with overwhelming consensus… must be passed in its original state and transmitted for presidential assent,” the statement concluded.

Signed by Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the statement described the situation as a matter of consistency, trust and political credibility.