A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) communications team, Nana Sarfo Ogyaba, has urged Parliament to expedite passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, warning that any further delays could carry political consequences for the governing party ahead of the 2028 elections.

Speaking on The Forum on Asaase Radio on Saturday (6 June), Ogyaba criticized Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s decision to have the controversial legislation reconsidered, arguing that Parliament had already spent years debating the issue.

“The problem is coming from Speaker Bagbin. He is calling back for reconsideration of the bill,” Ogyaba said. “We are wasting too much time on this issue.”

The NDC communicator said Ghana’s cultural and social values do not support homosexuality and insisted that Parliament should move quickly to address any procedural concerns and forward the bill to President John Mahama for assent.

“If there are some irregularities, then Parliament should go back, build a clear consensus and have the bill completed,” he said.

Ogyaba also expressed support for the sanctions contained in the proposed legislation, arguing that the law is necessary to preserve what he described as the country’s moral and cultural values.

His remarks come days after Speaker Bagbin directed Parliament to revisit the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill following consultations with both Majority and Minority leaders. The Speaker said the legislation required broader consensus because of its sensitivity and the significant public debate surrounding it.

Bagbin also indicated that he was surprised the bill had been fully passed on 29 May, saying he had expected lawmakers to undertake only the consideration stage before proceedings ended.

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill seeks to impose stricter penalties on same-sex sexual relations and criminalize the promotion, advocacy and funding of LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana.

Supporters of the legislation say it reflects the country’s religious, cultural and family values, while critics argue that it infringes on constitutional rights and could have negative implications for Ghana’s international reputation, investment climate and human rights commitments.

Ogyaba dismissed suggestions that potential economic consequences should influence the debate, saying public support for the bill outweighs concerns raised by its opponents.

He further warned that failure by the NDC government to secure the bill’s passage and presidential assent could disappoint sections of its support base.

“Ghanaians voted for the NDC because they believed the party would ensure this bill becomes law,” he said.

The legislation remains one of the most contentious issues in Ghanaian politics, with religious groups, traditional leaders and many lawmakers backing the measure, while human rights organizations and some civil society groups continue to oppose it.

Parliament is expected to undertake further consultations before deciding the next steps for the bill.