Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has ordered lawmakers to review the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. This controversial legislation is popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill. The directive came after questions arose about how the bill was approved. The Speaker noted that a committee report claimed unanimous support. However, this consensus was not clearly seen during the parliamentary debate.
Mr. Bagbin explained that when a committee reports strong agreement, that agreement must be visible in the House's decisions. Therefore, Parliament must go back and look at how it passed the bill. This ensures the unity claimed in the report is actually present in the law-making process. The bill aims to outlaw LGBTQ activities and advocacy in Ghana. It has faced significant debate both domestically and internationally.
Supporters believe the bill protects Ghanaian family values and cultural traditions. Critics, however, worry about its impact on human rights and freedoms guaranteed by the constitution. This development adds another layer of complexity to the bill's journey. It follows recent comments by President John Mahama on June 1, 2026. He stated that the bill would undergo further scrutiny before becoming law. President Mahama mentioned that procedural issues mean the bill still has a long way to go.
The President explained that the bill started as a private member's proposal, not a government initiative. It will now face legal and constitutional reviews. The Presidency's legal team and the Attorney General will examine it. They will ensure all legal aspects are correct before advising the President to sign it. President Mahama highlighted two specific concerns: a potential lack of minimum required members, known as quorum, during the vote and other procedural mistakes.
Earlier on the same day, Speaker Bagbin expressed surprise at the bill's passage. He believed it was only meant to be presented for discussion then. Following this, the Speaker met with parliamentary leadership to discuss the events. President Mahama was aware of this meeting. He noted that communication about the Speaker addressing the procedural lapses had reached him. The President also has the option to send the bill to the Council of State, an advisory body, if major issues arise. He can send it back to Parliament with specific concerns if significant problems are found.