By Valentia Tetteh
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has called for broad consensus on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, following its passage by Parliament last Friday.
The Speaker disclosed that he has summoned the leadership of both the Majority and Minority caucuses to discuss the way forward on the legislation, which continues to generate significant public interest and debate.
Speaking at a media briefing ahead of the 4th African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family, Sovereignty and Values, scheduled to be hosted by Ghana’s Parliament from June 3 to June 6, Mr. Bagbin revealed that he was surprised by the passage of the bill on Friday.
According to him, he had expected Parliament to begin consideration of the bill but not complete the entire process before the House adjourned for the weekend.
“In fact, when it was passed on Friday, it was even a surprise to me because I knew that they were going to start the consideration of the bill, and that was the instruction I left before I went to attend to other activities,” he stated.
Mr. Bagbin explained that considering it was a Friday and many Members of Parliament were eager to return to their constituencies, he did not anticipate that the House would conclude deliberations and pass the bill on the same day.
“It was Friday, and members wanted to go home early to their constituencies, so I knew they wouldn’t have completed it. But all of a sudden, I read about its passage. I reacted, and later I saw on television all the things that happened,” he said.
The Speaker noted that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill is a critical piece of legislation that requires broad national support to ensure its effective implementation.
“This is such a critical bill that we believe there must be consensus. It is not just about passing a bill; it is about implementing it and making sure that it benefits the people,” he stressed.
Mr. Bagbin disclosed that the leadership meeting would review developments surrounding the bill’s passage and explore avenues for building wider public acceptance of the legislation.
“So this evening, I have asked the leaders to meet me in my office. The leaders of both sides of the House will be with me for us to discuss what next after the passage of the bill,” he said.
Expressing confidence in Parliament’s leadership, Mr. Bagbin said he believes a constructive path forward can be found.
“I am very sure that being men and women of wisdom, we will find a way out and get all Ghanaians to buy into it,” he added.
The Speaker also acknowledged and appreciated the support and commendations Parliament has received from sections of the public following the passage of the bill.
“We are grateful to all those who have come out with commendation of the good work that Parliament has done,” he stated.
However, he assured supporters of the legislation that any further consultations would seek to strengthen rather than weaken the bill.
“I want to assure them that whatever discussion we have will be to better what has already been passed. It won’t take any shine off it, but we need all of them to come on board because without an identity, you have no value,” Mr. Bagbin emphasized.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, was passed by Parliament on Friday May 29, 2026 after extensive debate on the floor of the House. The legislation seeks to prohibit activities related to LGBTQ+ advocacy, promotion and participation in Ghana and remains one of the most widely debated bills in the country’s recent legislative history.
The outcome of the Speaker’s engagement with parliamentary leadership is expected to shape the next phase of discussions surrounding the implementation and public acceptance of the bill.
