During parliamentary proceedings on October 28, 2025, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, revealed that a delegation of Ugandan Members of Parliament had called on Ghana to host the 4th Interparliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty, a controversial gathering widely condemned by human rights defenders as an anti-LGBTQ and anti-rights forum.
Speaker Bagbin urged Ghanaian MPs to engage with the visiting Ugandan delegation for “experience learning” on the passage and implementation of anti-LGBTQ legislation.
“Honourable members, I’m happy that our brothers from Uganda are here, because they are ahead of us already on this matter. And so, they will share with you their experiences too. They have already passed an Act [Anti-Homosexuality Act] on it. They are implementing it. They have hosted twice, two conferences on this subject matter. And they are calling on other countries — particularly Ghana — to host the next conference. And so, they will share their experiences with you and maybe convince you to host it for other countries to emulate the good examples that we are setting.”
The Interparliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty, which Bagbin referenced, has been linked to Family Watch International, a U.S.-based organization designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center for promoting anti-LGBTQ and anti-rights agendas across the globe. The conference, held twice in Uganda, is widely regarded as a driving force behind the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023, one of the harshest anti-LGBTQ laws in the world.
Human rights organizations and LGBTQI+ advocates have consistently condemned the conference, describing it as a coordinated platform that exports hate and criminalization across Africa, targeting MPs, Speakers of Parliament, policymakers, and senior government officials with anti-rights and anti-gender propaganda disguised as “African family values.”
The Ugandan delegation to Ghana’s Parliament comprised Hon. Helen Nakimuli, Hon. Kalule Flavia Nabagabe, Hon. Kawalya Abubaker, Hon. Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola, and Hon. John Paul Mpalanyi — all Members of Parliament who have been vocal supporters of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act and participants in regional campaigns promoting the Interparliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty. Their visit formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen alliances with lawmakers across Africa to advance anti-LGBTQ legislation and encourage countries like Ghana to host future editions of the controversial conference.
If the Ugandan delegation succeeds in convincing Ghana’s leadership to host the next edition, it would mark the first time the conference comes to West Africa — a deeply concerning development for rights advocates, who warn it could embolden anti-LGBTQ sentiments and policies in the subregion.
Observers have also pointed out the hypocrisy in Ghana’s political leadership seeking to emulate Uganda in matters of persecution and discrimination, while ignoring Uganda’s failures in democracy, peace, human rights, press freedom, and socio-economic development. Ghana, often regarded as one of Africa’s leading democracies, has rarely cited Uganda as a model in these crucial areas — yet now appears to be embracing Uganda’s example in the politics of hate and repression of vulnerable minority groups.
In his remarks, Speaker Bagbin also disclosed that he had been elected Chairperson of the 52 Africa Geopolitical Group within the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). He further stated that he serves as the President of the Conference of Speakers of African Parliaments, with Ugandan Speaker Anita Among serving as his Vice President and as the President of African Legislatures.
The Speaker’s comments come amid renewed debate over the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill, which expired with the 8th Parliament and has been reintroduced in the 9th Parliament for consideration.
Rightify Ghana 