Speaker Bagbin says the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill will be reintroduced as a private members’ bill, with President Mahama indicating readiness to assent if passed.
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has clarified that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely known as the anti-LGBTQ bill, expired with the 8th Parliament and must therefore be reintroduced to undergo the full legislative process under the current 9th Parliament.
He made this clarification during parliamentary proceedings on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, following weeks of confusion and political exchanges over the bill’s removal from the Order Paper and the uncertainty surrounding its status.
Speaker Explains Why the Bill Was Removed
Speaker Bagbin explained that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which was passed by the 8th Parliament in February 2024, had been transmitted to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, but was neither assented to nor returned before the dissolution of that Parliament in January 2025.
He stated that under parliamentary procedure, all unfinished business of a dissolved Parliament — including bills awaiting presidential assent — automatically lapses, requiring reintroduction in the succeeding Parliament before further action can be taken.
He therefore confirmed that the anti-LGBTQ bill will be reintroduced as a private members’ bill, not a government-sponsored one. He further noted that President John Dramani Mahama has already indicated that he will assent to the bill if it is passed by the current Parliament.
Procedural and Administrative Issues Identified
The Speaker also clarified that the bill was removed from the Order Paper last week — a day after it had been advertised — because certain administrative and procedural issues needed to be addressed before the new version could be formally laid before the House.
He said the leadership of Parliament wants to ensure that all requirements for private members’ bills are fully satisfied before reintroduction, adding that the bill will return to the floor “sooner than later” once those matters are resolved.
Speaker Reaffirms Commitment to Passage
In his statement, Speaker Bagbin reaffirmed his personal and institutional commitment to ensuring the eventual passage of the bill. He said Parliament remains determined to complete the legislative process in a way that reflects what he described as Ghana’s shared cultural and moral values.
In a message to groups that have been advocating for the passage of the bill, the Speaker said Parliament is committed to the process and that the leadership is taking steps to ensure the reintroduced bill proceeds smoothly once tabled.
He also urged Members of Parliament to engage with visiting lawmakers from Uganda, who are in Ghana to share their experiences on the passage of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act in 2023. According to him, this engagement would allow Ghana’s legislators to learn from Uganda’s process and strengthen collaboration among African parliaments on legislative measures related to “family values and social norms.”
Reactions from Both Sides of the House
Following the Speaker’s clarification, Members of Parliament from both the Majority (NDC) and the Minority (NPP) reacted with differing perspectives.
The Minority Leader, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, said his caucus is ready to consider the new version of the bill once reintroduced but requested that the issues identified by the Speaker be shared with members. He suggested that the current Majority, which was previously in opposition, may now seek to alter or soften some of the provisions they had earlier defended.
Hon. Alhassan Suhuyini, representing the Majority (NDC), reiterated his party’s commitment to the bill’s passage and implementation, stating that the NDC remains resolute in addressing what it sees as growing LGBTQ activities in the country.
Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, speaking for the Minority (NPP), said his caucus wants the same version of the bill that was passed in 2024 to be reintroduced, arguing that it reflects the collective position of Ghanaians and should not undergo major changes.
Next Steps
With the Speaker’s clarification, preparations are now underway for the formal reintroduction of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill as a private members’ bill under the 9th Parliament. The process will follow the standard parliamentary procedure — beginning with the First Reading, followed by Committee review, stakeholder consultations, and debate, before consideration and possible passage.
Although both the Majority and Minority have expressed support for the bill’s passage, its reintroduction is expected to reignite national and international debate. Human rights groups, civil society organizations, and global partners, including the United Nations, World Bank, and IMF, have previously raised concerns that the bill’s provisions violate Ghana’s Constitution and international human rights commitments.
Background
First introduced in 2021 as a private members’ bill, the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill seeks to criminalize same-sex relationships, advocacy for LGBTQI+ rights, and any form of support or funding for LGBTQI+ activities in Ghana. It also includes penalties for individuals, organizations, and media entities that promote or facilitate such activities.
The bill received overwhelming bipartisan support in the 8th Parliament and was passed in February 2024, but it lapsed following the Parliament’s dissolution after former President Akufo-Addo did not assent to it before leaving office.
Conclusion
The Speaker’s clarification on Tuesday has ended weeks of uncertainty surrounding the fate of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. His confirmation that the bill will be reintroduced as a private members’ bill, combined with President Mahama’s indication that he will assent to it once passed, marks a renewed phase in Ghana’s ongoing debate over the controversial legislation.
As Parliament prepares to reopen discussions on the bill, the coming weeks are expected to be pivotal, with renewed scrutiny from domestic stakeholders and international observers alike over how Ghana balances its political, moral, and human rights obligations.
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