Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has confirmed that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, will be reintroduced in the Ninth Parliament of Ghana “sooner than later,” following its expiration with the end of the Eighth Parliament.
The Speaker stated that all pending bills from the previous Parliament, including the controversial legislation, became void at the close of the last session and must therefore undergo a fresh legislative process before becoming law.
Speaking in Parliament, Speaker Bagbin declared that the Eighth Parliament, which concluded its term earlier this year, has effectively ceased to exist, along with all its unfinished business. He explained that the bill, after being passed by the previous Parliament, was transmitted to the former President, who declined to assent without providing any reasons.
“They wrote to tell us that they will not assent to it. The only constitutional error they committed was they didn’t give us the reasons why they will not assent to it. And they did not also transmit the bill back to us. They imprisoned it there”
Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament
Rt. Hon. Bagbin explained that the Ninth Parliament has reclaimed ownership of the bill, which was originally introduced as a private member’s initiative backed by traditional, religious, and civil society leaders. He noted that while the new government has indicated its interest in taking over the legislation as a public bill, he personally opposed that move, arguing that it would dilute the grassroots-driven nature of the process.
“I made it known to His Excellency the President that – Ghanaians wanted this bill passed through a private member’s bill and so be it,” Speaker Bagbin said. According to him, the bill will be reprocessed in line with parliamentary procedure before it can be laid again in the House.
He emphasized that the Speaker’s constitutional role would be executed fully to ensure due process is followed.
Majority Leader Assures of Presidential Assent
Majority Leader, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, has also weighed in on the matter, clarifying that the previous version of the bill was never officially transmitted to the Presidency and therefore did not reach the stage where presidential assent could be granted.
“The Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill passed by the 8th Parliament was not transmitted to the Presidency. That’s why it didn’t receive assent. The Minority had the opportunity to ensure it was done, but they failed to push it through”
Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader
Hon. Ayariga further assured Ghanaians that President John Dramani Mahama, who returned to office following the 2024 general elections, is fully committed to endorsing the bill once Parliament completes its legislative work.
“President Mahama will have no hesitation in assenting to the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill once it is passed by Parliament. I have spoken with the President, and he is ever ready to sign it into law, unlike his predecessor”
Hon. Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader
The debate around the bill continues to attract strong public attention, with widespread calls for its passage among religious and traditional bodies who view it as a safeguard for Ghanaian cultural and moral values. Speaker Bagbin reaffirmed that the Ninth Parliament would treat the matter with urgency while ensuring compliance with constitutional and procedural safeguards.
He maintained that the decision to proceed with it as a private member’s bill reflects Parliament’s commitment to protecting public will and legislative independence. “It has to come back to the Speaker,” Bagbin stressed. “You know our rules have given what the Speaker is expected to do, which I will do.”
As the Ninth Parliament resumes business, both the Speaker and the Majority Leader’s statements signal renewed legislative momentum behind one of Ghana’s most debated pieces of legislation.
The Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill’s reintroduction is expected to reignite nationwide discourse on human rights, morality, and governance under President Mahama’s administration.
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