Accra: Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has confirmed that the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, will be re-introduced on the floor of Parliament. He stated that the re-introduction would include his personal inputs as the Chairman of the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Bagbin addressed the matter on the floor of the House in Accra after the bill’s removal from the Order Paper last week. He highlighted that the bill is now considered historical as it expired with the dissolution of the Eighth Parliament, necessitating its re-presentation in the House. This decision coincides with increasing demands from the Minority Caucus for enhanced transparency and accountability throughout the bill’s legislative process.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin emphasized the importance of publishing all amendments to the bill, while Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor, Member of Parliament for Damongo, insisted on maintaining the bill’s original structure and intent during its re-introduction. Speaker Bagbin, an outspoken supporter of the bill, assured that the NDC government, led by President John Mahama, is committed to enacting the bill into law.
The bill, which had previously been passed by Parliament but failed to secure presidential assent under the former NPP government, expired with the dissolution of the Eighth Parliament in 2024. A bipartisan group of ten members of Parliament, spearheaded by Sam George (NDC, Ningo-Prampram) and John Ntim Fordjour (NPP, Assin South), has reintroduced it as a Private Members bill.
This legislation aims to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities, advocacy, and funding, proposing penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment for engaging in same-sex acts and up to ten years for promoting or financing LGBTQ+ activities. Despite facing public and international criticism, the bill garners broad parliamentary support, with backing from MPs across both the Majority and Minority factions.
In response, the Minority Caucus is demanding clarity on the bill’s status, legislative timeline, and the specifics of proposed amendments. They stress the necessity for the public and civil society to be sufficiently informed and involved, ensuring democratic accountability throughout the process.
Speaker Bagbin’s active involvement, coupled with the Minority’s call for transparency, indicates a potentially more scrutinized and contentious legislative journey ahead. As Ghana continues to address this complex issue, the tension between cultural preservation and human rights remains a central theme in the national discourse.