Dr. Kabiru Tia Mahama, one of the sponsors of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill in Parliament of Ghana, has expressed strong disappointment over the final version of the bill passed by the House, saying it was significantly altered from what he originally supported.

The MP for Walewale said he expected the bill—co-sponsored by members of Parliament—to move through the normal legislative process with its core provisions intact before being sent for assent. However, he was surprised by what he described as extensive amendments and deletions that changed both the content and intent of the legislation.

According to him, while Parliament has the constitutional authority to review and amend bills, the extent of the modifications went beyond his expectations as a sponsor.

“I am very scandalized. I am very disappointed. I am utterly disgusted by the chain of events,” he said.

He further explained that when he appended his signature as a sponsor, he did not anticipate that the final product would differ so significantly from the original draft.

“Once a bill is laid before Parliament, it becomes the property of the House and members have the right to review it. However, my expectation was that the core provisions of the bill would remain intact,” he noted.

Dr. Mahama added that several key provisions were reportedly removed, which he believes has reduced the effectiveness and intended impact of the legislation.

“To find out that the bill had changed significantly through the deletion of several provisions and the dilution of its effect, I couldn’t be more disappointed,” he added.

He also indicated that both he and the Speaker had reservations about the extent to which the bill had been “watered down” during the legislative process.