By: Evans Osei-Bonsu
The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has said recent calls by the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) for Parliament to restore the original Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill have vindicated concerns repeatedly raised by the Minority about amendments made to the legislation.
In a statement commending the GPCC on Facebook, Assafuah argued that the Council’s position confirms fears that key provisions of the controversial anti-gay bill were weakened during the legislative process despite assurances to the contrary.
“I wish to wholeheartedly commend the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council for rising to the occasion once again and demonstrating principled leadership in matters that touch on the moral convictions, cultural values and social fabric of our nation,” the Old Tafo MP said.
According to him, the GPCC’s intervention represents a significant endorsement of concerns that the Minority had consistently raised after Parliament passed an amended version of the bill.
“The GPCC has shown courage and consistency by speaking truthfully and boldly on an issue of significant national importance, and for that, they deserve the appreciation of all who value honesty, transparency and legislative integrity,” he stated.
Assafuah maintained that faith-based institutions remain critical stakeholders in Ghana’s democratic governance and have a duty to speak on matters that affect the country’s moral and social values.
“For decades, faith-based institutions have played a vital role in shaping Ghana’s democratic journey. They have served not merely as places of worship but as moral voices that have contributed meaningfully to national discourse, governance, accountability and social development,” he said.
The legislator recalled that he had previously sounded the alarm over amendments introduced to Clause 9 of the bill and had called on religious leaders to scrutinise the changes carefully.
“When I first raised concerns about the amendments introduced into Clause 9 of the Bill and called on religious leaders to scrutinize the changes, I did so because I believed Ghanaians deserved to know exactly what Parliament was being asked to endorse,” he explained.
“The issue was never about partisan politics. It was about ensuring that the law passed by Parliament remained faithful to the purpose for which it was introduced and supported by the overwhelming majority of Ghanaians.”
Assafuah said subsequent developments have proven that those concerns were justified.
“Today, the concerns I together with my colleagues on the Minority side raised have been vindicated,” he declared.
He pointed to the GPCC’s demand for a return to the original version of the legislation as evidence that the amendments materially altered the bill.
“The GPCC has now publicly stated that the amended Bill falls short of expectations and has called for a return to the original version previously approved by Parliament. Their position reinforces what many of us on the Minority side have consistently argued — that significant amendments were introduced which materially altered the strength and effectiveness of the legislation.”
The Old Tafo MP further noted that the concerns raised by the GPCC have been echoed by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, who has also called for the reconsideration of the legislation.
“Even more telling is the fact that the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, has himself called for the reconsideration of the Bill, citing concerns regarding the final text and amendments made during the legislative process. He has emphasized the need to protect legislative integrity, national consensus and constitutional fidelity.”
Assafuah questioned why Ghanaians were assured that the legislation would remain intact only for concerns to emerge after its passage.
“For months, the Ghanaian people were assured that there would be no compromise and no dilution of the legislation. Yet what ultimately emerged from Parliament contained exemptions and amendments that have generated widespread concern among stakeholders who championed the Bill from the very beginning,” he said.
“It is therefore legitimate to ask whether the Ghanaian public was presented with one promise but delivered something substantially different.”
The MP insisted that transparency and accountability must remain central to the legislative process.
“Ghanaians deserve openness, not ambiguity. They deserve candour, not political convenience. They deserve legislation that reflects exactly what they were promised and not an altered framework presented under the same title.”
Assafuah pledged that the Minority would continue to scrutinise developments surrounding the bill while calling on the GPCC and other religious bodies not to relent until their concerns are fully addressed.
“I wish to assure the people of Ghana that I will not relent in exposing inconsistencies, demanding transparency, and holding government accountable. Together with my colleagues on the Minority side, we shall continue to scrutinize every aspect of this process and insist that the interests of the Ghanaian people are protected.”
He concluded by urging the GPCC to sustain its advocacy for the restoration of the bill’s original provisions.
“I encourage the Council and all faith-based organizations to remain steadfast and resolute. Their voices matter. Their advocacy matters. Their vigilance matters.”
“The work is not yet done. We must continue to pursue a legislative outcome that faithfully reflects the aspirations of the Ghanaian people and preserves the intent for which this bill was originally introduced.”
Source: Purefmonlinegh.com || 2026
