Politics & Policy

    Legal Expert Reviews Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, Cites Significant Structural Changes

    Oliver Barker-Vormawor disputes claims that the reintroduced legislation is a weaker version of the original.

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    Private legal practitioner Oliver Barker-Vormawor says the reintroduced Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill contains many changes. He argues these changes are not making the bill weaker. This is contrary to recent public statements. The bill was submitted for presidential assent previously. New analysis shows it is different. Barker-Vormawor shared his views on Facebook on June 1. He specifically responded to comments by MP Rev. John Ntim Fordjour. The MP stated the bill had 31 amendments. He also said it was a weaker form of the original. Barker-Vormawor disagrees with this assessment. He calls it "not true in substance." His firm, Merton & Everett LLP, did a technical legal review. This review found structural and substantive modifications. These go beyond a simple number count. The firm analyzed the legislation in March 2026. This was after sponsors brought it back to Parliament. The comparative assessment found at least 27 clear textual and structural changes. A broader count suggests up to 64 modifications. Barker-Vormawor states the idea that the bill was reintroduced without significant alteration is incorrect. The drafting changes materially affect its structure. They also impact its definitions and enforcement. The legislative instrument changed from 20 sections to 19 clauses. An expanded explanatory memorandum is now about 19 pages long. It details legislative history and constitutional justifications. Key differences include the deletion of a standalone offense regarding "subversion of family values." Its penalties were also removed. A broadly worded criminal offense for aiding or facilitating such conduct is now gone. Several provisions creating offenses were reformulated. They shifted from direct criminal wording to prohibition. Phrases like "a person shall not" are now used. The original penalties mostly remain. These changes affect provisions on procurement, detention, and brothel offenses. Barker-Vormawor highlighted expanded definitions and new identity categories. The bill now includes "queer." It also defines terms like "intersex," "non-binary," and "pansexual." New catch-all provisions criminalize conduct contrary to binary gender classifications. This significantly broadens potential liability. There are concerns that the definition of "intersex" could create legal vulnerabilities. This may affect individuals not undergoing surgical correction, depending on interpretation. Barker-Vormawor's review challenges political interpretations. It disputes claims that the reintroduced bill is materially weaker. He argues the bill shows a complex mix of deletions, rewrites, and expansions. These cannot be simply reduced to a numerical count of amendments. The substance of the law's reach and enforcement remains a critical point of discussion for policymakers and the public.

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