Rev Canon Dr Confidence Bansah (L) and Rev John Ntim Fordjour (R)
A social media exchange erupted between the Member of Parliament for Assin South, Rev John Ntim Fordjour, and University of Cape Coast (UCC) lecturer, Rev Canon Dr Confidence Bansah, over the reintroduction of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025.
The debate began after Rev Ntim Fordjour, who also serves as a reverend minister, announced on X (formerly Twitter) on October 22, 2025, that the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill was back before Parliament for its first reading.
“Finally, the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, is here for presentation and first reading in Parliament. This is a bold, apolitical, collective pursuit to preserve the sanctity of our cherished values against the devastating tendencies of LGBTQTTAP in society,” he wrote.
In response, Rev Canon Dr Confidence Bansah, a lecturer in Religion and Human Values at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and founder of the Centre for Religion and Public Life (CRPL-Ghana), challenged Fordjour’s approach, urging him to embrace compassion and spiritual guidance instead of punitive measures.
“As the senior pastor that you truly are, will you not pray for the repentance of sinful souls rather than sending them to prison?” Dr Bansah wrote.
He added that as a minister of the gospel, Fordjour should be guided by compassion and prayer, emphasising that spiritual healing rather than criminalization should be the focus in addressing issues of sexuality.
“It is essential to remember, as a pastor, that compassion should guide our actions, and prayer can be a powerful tool for healing and transformation,” he added.
Rev Fordjour swiftly responded, dismissing Dr Bansah’s argument as illogical and unrealistic. He argued that by the lecturer’s reasoning, all criminal laws and prisons should be abolished to allow pastors to simply pray for offenders.
“Going by Canon Dr Bansah’s logic, all laws must be abolished and all prisons closed. Let everyone in society freely engage in all manner of offensive conduct so we recruit pastors to pray for them,” the MP retorted.
Anti-LGBTQ Bill: Pastors should pray for sinners, not condemn them – UCC lecturer to Ntim Fordjour
“Now that they have appointed an Envoy for Ecumenical Affairs reviewing prophecies, let them free all prisoners and end all criminal prosecutions so pastors pray for all offenders. What a logic?” he added.
Not backing down, Dr Bansah quoted scripture to reinforce his position, invoking Amos 3:3, “Can two walks together, except they agree?”
He stressed that members of the LGBTQ+ community deserve respect and protection, not punishment.
“Rev Fordjour should know that homosexuals are people in loving relationships and not criminals. They commit no offence against anyone in society. It is essential for all individuals to be treated with dignity and respect,” he stated.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, passed by Parliament in 2024, has been the subject of intense national debate, pitting supporters who demand swift assent against critics raising constitutional and human rights concerns.
Can two walk together, except they agree? (Amos 3:33). Rev. Fordjour should know that homosexuals are people in loving relationships and not criminals. They commit no offence against anyone in society. It is essential for all individuals to be treated with dignity and respect,
— Rev. Canon Dr. Confidence Bansah (@DrBansah) October 23, 2025
Going by Canon Dr Bansah’s logic, all laws must be abolished and all prisons closed. Let everyone in society freely engage in all manner of offensive conducts so we recruit Pastors to pray for them.
Now that they have appointed an Envoy for Ecumenical Affairs, reviewing… pic.twitter.com/BMuYQZHqiP
— John Ntim Fordjour MP (@NtimFordjour) October 23, 2025
AM/MA
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