BY VALENTIA TETTEH
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has directed the Business Committee to schedule two Private Members’ Bills for presentation and consideration by the House.
The directive was issued during proceedings on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in accordance with Order 187(2) of the Standing Orders, which requires the Speaker to inform the House whether a Private Member’s Bill complies with Article 108 of the 1992 Constitution.
Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021
One of the bills is the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021, which was passed by the Eighth Parliament on February 28, 2024, but was not assented to by the President and therefore lapsed upon the dissolution of Parliament.
The sponsors who formally indicated their intention to reintroduce the bill are:
- Samuel Nartey George
- Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah
- John Ntim Fordjour
- Helen Adjoa Ntoso
- Vincent Ekow Assafuah
- Alhassan Tampuli
- Rita Naa Odoley Sowah
- Mahama Tiah Abdul-Kabiru
- Anthony Mmieh
According to the Speaker, the bill was referred to the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice for review following the inauguration of the Ninth Parliament. The necessary legal opinion and fiscal impact analysis were subsequently submitted.
“The Committee observed that the reintroduced bill maintains its underlying principles and core objectives and does not contravene Articles 106 and 108 of the 1992 Constitution,” the Speaker told the House.
He added that the Committee unanimously advised that the bill be introduced for consideration.
Having reviewed the Committee’s report, Speaker Bagbin concluded that the bill does not impose taxation or create a charge on the Consolidated Fund as stipulated under Article 108.
“I therefore direct that the bill be scheduled by the Business Committee to be presented to the House for consideration,” he ruled.
Constitution of the Republic of Ghana (Amendment) Bill, 2025
The other bill, the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is sponsored by the Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Osei Nyarko.
The bill is a reintroduction of a Private Member’s Bill first laid before the Eighth Parliament in June 2022. It was subsequently referred to the Council of State under Article 291(2) of the Constitution and successfully passed the Second Reading stage. However, it lapsed following the dissolution of the Eighth Parliament.
Upon its reintroduction in the Ninth Parliament, three other sponsors were added:
- Kwame Governs Agbodza, MP for Adaklu
- Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle
- Davis Ansah Opoku, MP for Mpraeso
Addressing the House, Speaker Bagbin explained that the bill had undergone the necessary legal scrutiny and fiscal impact assessment in compliance with the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).
“Upon consideration of the legal opinion and the fiscal impact analysis report, I directed that the request be processed in accordance with the applicable rules governing the introduction of bills in the House,” the Speaker stated.
He further noted that the Committee on Private Members’ Bills and Private Members’ Motions unanimously advised that the bill complies with the relevant constitutional provisions.
“I have carefully considered the report of the Committee and have formed the view that the bill does not impose or alter any taxation, nor does it create a charge on the Consolidated Fund within the meaning of Article 108 of the Constitution,” he ruled.
The Speaker subsequently directed the Business Committee to schedule the bill for presentation, assuring Members that it would receive thorough consideration.
“These are critical bills for the consideration of this House. They will not be rushed. I urge all Members to take time to study their provisions,” he added.
