Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has taken a swipe at Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin on the floor of Parliament during a heated debate over the controversial anti-LGBTQ bill.

Ghana’s Parliament, for the second time, passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, on May 29, 2026.

During deliberations on the bill, a heated exchange erupted between Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin and Mahama Ayariga.

At the height of the confrontation, the Majority Leader described Afenyo-Markin as a “spoilt child.”

According to Mahama Ayariga, the Minority Leader, who was objecting to amendments made to the new bill, was disrupting government business and behaving immaturely.

Ghana's Parliament passes anti-LGBTQ bill again

“I think the Minority Leader has to pay attention. The Minority Leader cannot behave like a spoilt child.

“You cannot behave like a small child, just entering the chamber and throwing your hands left and right,” he said.

Mahama Ayariga further described Afenyo-Markin’s conduct during the debate as childish.

According to him, the Minority Leader was attempting to create a false impression that there was an effort to water down the bill, but Ghanaians could see through such political tactics.

“You can’t do that. You think that by behaving this way, you will be able to create a national scene and claim that there is an attempt to water down the bill. This kind of politics is childish. We have gone beyond that. Ghanaians can see through your politics.

“You brought a bill that says ‘subject to the Constitution.’ That is exactly what the bill says, and the bill was signed by Ntim Fordjour, subject to the Constitution,” he added.

Passage of anti-LGBTQ bill

The anti-LGBTQ bill was passed for the second time on May 29, 2026.

It will be recalled that in 2024, former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stated that assent to the Anti-LGBTQ Bill would be put on hold pending the determination of a case before the Supreme Court.

This followed the bill’s initial passage by Parliament on February 28, 2024, under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration. However, the bill was not assented to before the end of the parliamentary term.

Mahama Ayariga insists anti-LGBTQ bill remains firm despite amendments

The revised legislation, which has now been reintroduced and passed again by Parliament, seeks to criminalise LGBTQ activities and includes new amendments exempting certain individuals and institutions from sanctions under the law.

Under the amended provisions, individuals who provide legal advice or legal representation to persons identified as LGBTQ will not be liable to punishment.

The bill also exempts journalists and media organisations reporting on LGBTQ-related issues or covering such matters in the course of their professional duties.

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