The Majority Leader in Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, has issued a strong warning to individuals engaged in LGBTQ practices, urging them to desist or face the full consequences of the law once the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, is signed into law by President John Dramani Mahama.
His comments come after Parliament on Friday, May 29, passed the controversial legislation popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill following extensive debate and the consideration of several proposed amendments.
The bill, which seeks to regulate issues of human sexual rights and family values, has been one of the most debated pieces of legislation in recent years, drawing strong support from its sponsors and equally firm opposition from rights advocacy groups.
Speaking on Eyewitness News on Friday, Mr. Ayariga said individuals who identify as LGBTQ would be required to change their behaviour once the law is fully in force.
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He stressed that the passage of the bill marks a turning point, insisting that enforcement will begin once it receives presidential assent.
“You will have to change. That’s the response I will give to that person,” he said. “If you’re a boy, you shouldn’t be wearing the dresses of girls around town… if you know that you’ve been practicing LGBTQ in this country, with this bill having been passed today, immediately it is assented to by the President, you will have to change.”he said.
However, the Majority Leader also cautioned against violence, warning that the law does not permit mob justice or attacks on individuals suspected of LGBTQ practices.
“Mob action is seriously frowned upon in the bill, and indeed, it has very serious consequences. Anybody attacking, assaulting, lynching any person accused or suspected of practicing LGBTQ will be punished even more than the practitioners of LGBTQ.” he added.
