Mahama Ayariga, the majority leader, has disassociated himself from the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025’s post-passage procedures, claiming that his authority ended when the legislation was approved by Parliament and that decisions about its transmission for presidential assent are outside of his purview.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Tuesday, June 2, he insisted that the law, which has roughly 19 sections, had already been thoroughly discussed in earlier sessions and that both sides of the House had previously agreed upon a large portion of its content.
He stated that there were few points of contention and that they had mostly been settled via committee meetings, which included talks about provisions pertaining to institutional and professional liberties.
“We worked with our colleagues on the entire bill from clause one to clause nine. There was no issue. Even where concerns were raised, the committee made recommendations, and we engaged and agreed on several of them,” he said.
The Majority Leader also questioned the necessity of further examination of the law, arguing that after protracted deliberations, Parliament had already come to an agreement on its main elements.
Regardless of any administrative or procedural issues brought up by other stakeholders, he claims that the bill’s passing represents a finished legislative process.
“We have kept this bill in this House for one and a half years, and now we are being asked to bring it back again and consider what exactly? I don’t know specifically what provisions need reconsideration. I have done my job. I have moved for the bill to be passed. As for whether it will be transmitted for assent or not, that is their business,” he said.
His remarks coincide with the ongoing discussion over the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, which was prompted by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s orders for additional participation in the legislative process following concerns expressed regarding its ultimate passage.
Citing procedural and constitutional issues, President John Dramani Mahama has also stated that the measure still needs to be reviewed before an assent decision is made.
In contrast to his anticipation that discussions were still ongoing, the Speaker expressed astonishment that the bill had advanced from the consideration stage to final passage on May 29 and has since asked for new meetings with both the Majority and Minority leadership.
Source: newsthemegh.com