Accra, Ghana — Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has directed the House to revisit aspects of the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill (anti-LGBTQ+ bill), citing procedural inconsistencies that raise questions about the integrity of the legislative process.
Bagbin explained that the committee report accompanying the bill indicated unanimous bipartisan support from both Majority and Minority members. However, he noted that this consensus was not clearly reflected in the final deliberations and passage on the floor of Parliament.
“My concern is that legislation of such profound national importance should proceed on a foundation of broad parliamentary support, bipartisan cooperation, and scrupulous adherence to the procedures established by the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament,” Bagbin stated.
He stressed that the credibility and legitimacy of any law depend not only on its objectives but also on the integrity of the process used to pass it.
The directive adds a new layer of scrutiny to the controversial bill, which seeks to prohibit LGBTQ+ activities and advocacy in Ghana. The legislation has generated intense debate both domestically and internationally, with supporters arguing that it protects Ghanaian family values, while critics warn of serious human rights implications.
Context of Passage
The bill was originally passed in 2024 with strong bipartisan support. However, in recent months, the Minority caucus has raised concerns that amendments introduced before final approval significantly weakened its provisions. They described the changes as “dangerous dilutions”, insisting that Parliament should revert to the original version.
Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South and a co-sponsor of the bill, argued that the revised legislation had lost its deterrent power. “The amendments have stripped the Bill of its effectiveness. What we have today no longer reflects the original intentions of lawmakers,” he said at a Minority press briefing.
The Minority maintains that while they support the bill in principle, the altered provisions undermine its enforcement strength and betray commitments made to voters during the 2024 campaign.
Presidential Review
President John Dramani Mahama has also indicated that the bill will undergo further legal and constitutional review before any decision on assent. Speaking at Chatham House in London, Mahama noted that issues including quorum concerns and procedural irregularities must be examined by legal teams at the Presidency and the Attorney-General’s office. He added that the bill, introduced as a private member’s motion, must go through all required constitutional checks and could be referred to the Council of State if significant concerns persist.
Implications
Bagbin’s directive, combined with the Minority’s objections and the President’s cautious stance, underscores the fragile consensus around the bill. It highlights the tension between legislative intent, procedural integrity, and constitutional safeguards — a debate that is likely to intensify as Ghana navigates both domestic expectations and international scrutiny.
