By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has directed Parliament to reconsider the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, widely known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, saying the move is necessary to protect national interest, preserve consensus, and review amendments made to the legislation.
His directive follows the passage of the bill on Friday, May 29, 2026, after Parliament adopted a number of amendments.
The legislation, which seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana, has since sparked. widespread public debate..
Addressing Members of the House on Tuesday, 02 June 2026, Speaker Bagbin explained that his decision is aimed at protecting the larger national interest, preserving the bipartisan character of the bill, and ensuring unity within Parliament and the country.
According to him, revisiting the bill’s third reading is necessary to allow a review of the final text and any amendments made, adding that the move does not amount to abandoning the bill or rejecting its objectives, but rather, the step is intended to reaffirm Parliament’s commitment to due process, constitutional fidelity, transparency, consensus-building, and legislative integrity.
Speaker Bagbin reiterated that the reconsideration would ensure that any final decision reflects both the will of Parliament and broad agreement on the legislation before it is finally enacted.
He further urged Members of Parliament to approach the matter with wisdom, patriotism, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the integrity of the House and Ghana’s democratic process.
The speaker had earlier engaged leadership of both the Majority and Minority caucuses, expressing surprise at the speed of the bill’s passage and calling for broader stakeholder consensus, including input from development partners and the United Nations.
He maintained that the focus should not only be on passing the bill, but also on ensuring its effective implementation and public acceptance through consensus-building.
