Speaker appeals to Parliament to reconsider passage of Anti-Gay Bill

Bagbin raises concerns over parliamentary procedure
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has appealed to Parliament to revisit the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely referred to as the anti-LGBTQ bill. The latest appeal follows concerns about whether the bipartisan support reflected in the committee report was adequately demonstrated during proceedings on the floor of Parliament. Questions have been raised regarding the manner in which the controversial legislation was passed, prompting the Speaker to intervene.

Committee consensus not reflected on the floor
According to Mr. Bagbin, the committee report accompanying the bill indicated unanimous support from members of both the Majority and Minority caucuses. However, he observed that this broad consensus was not clearly evident during parliamentary debates and the final decision-making process. He stressed that when a committee presents a report showing bipartisan agreement, the same level of consensus should be visible during floor proceedings. “Neither did the proceedings of that day convey the unanimity, nor bipartisan understanding upon which the bill was initially promoted and deliberated upon,” he stated.

Call for reconsideration
Based on these concerns, the Speaker believes Parliament must revisit aspects of the bill’s passage to ensure that the bipartisan support captured in the committee report is properly reflected in the legislative process. Mr. Bagbin emphasized that legislation of such national significance should be built on broad parliamentary support, bipartisan cooperation, and strict adherence to constitutional and parliamentary procedures. He noted that the legitimacy and credibility of any law depend not only on its objectives but also on the integrity of the process through which it is enacted. “The legitimacy, credibility, and enduring authority of any law depend not only on the objectives sought to be achieved, but also on the integrity of the process by which the law is enacted,” he said.

A controversial bill at the centre of public debate
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill seeks to prohibit LGBTQ activities and advocacy in Ghana. The legislation has been championed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers who argue that it is intended to protect Ghanaian cultural values and family structures. However, critics have expressed concerns that the bill could infringe on human rights protections and constitutional freedoms. The legislation has attracted widespread attention and debate both within Ghana and internationally.

PresidentMahama calls for further scrutiny

On June 1, President John Mahama indicated that the bill still faces several hurdles before it can become law.
Speaking at Chatham House in London, the President explained that the bill originated as a private member’s bill rather than a government-sponsored measure and would therefore undergo extensive legal and constitutional review.
He stated that legal advisers at the Presidency, including the Attorney General, would examine the legislation before any recommendation is made regarding presidential assent.
“Once the president gets it, you go through it because you’re not part of the discussion in Parliament,” Mahama explained.

Concerns over quorum and procedural lapses
President Mahama also highlighted specific concerns that have been raised about the bill’s passage, including allegations of a lack of quorum during voting and procedural irregularities.
These concerns gained prominence after Speaker Bagbin revealed that he had expected the bill to be laid before Parliament for consideration rather than passed outright on that day. In response, the Speaker convened a high-level meeting with parliamentary leadership to establish exactly what transpired during the proceedings.

Possibility of returning the Bill to Parliament
The President noted that he retains the constitutional authority to return the bill to Parliament should significant issues be identified during the review process.
He also indicated that the matter could be referred to the Council of State for advice if necessary. “If there are issues, substantial issues that are raised, the president would return the bill to Parliament indicating exactly what the issues are,” Mahama said.

What happens next?
The Speaker’s directive has introduced a new dimension to the legislative journey of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. Parliament is now expected to revisit aspects of the bill’s passage to determine whether the process adequately reflected the bipartisan support outlined in the committee report and complied fully with parliamentary procedures. As legal, constitutional, and procedural questions continue to be examined, the bill’s future remains uncertain despite its passage by Parliament on May 29, 2026. The coming weeks are likely to determine whether the legislation proceeds to presidential assent, returns to Parliament for reconsideration, or faces further constitutional scrutiny.