Be sure, I am there, the law will be passed- Bagbin assures of LGBTQ Bill passage

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has firmly stated that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely known as Ghana’s anti-LGBTQI+ bill, will be passed by the current Parliament.

According to Bagbin, he has received clear assurances from President John Dramani Mahama that the controversial legislation will be granted presidential assent once it is approved by lawmakers.

The Speaker made these remarks during the Kasoa Traditional Leaders and Stakeholders Forum, an engagement that brought together community leaders, residents, and government officials to deliberate on pressing development issues affecting the municipality. During his address, Bagbin stressed that the delay in enacting the bill into law was due to the refusal of former President Nana Akufo-Addo to assent to it after it was passed by the 8th Parliament.

He explained that with the dissolution of the previous Parliament, the bill effectively expired and had to be reintroduced in the current legislative session. Despite this setback, he expressed strong confidence that the new Parliament would successfully pass the bill.

“Be sure, I am there, the law will be passed… when the former president declined to assent it. When that Parliament ended, it ended with that bill in the hands of the former Parliament,” Bagbin stated.

Highlighting the differences between the current and previous parliamentary compositions, he noted that the present Parliament has a significantly altered structure, which he believes will influence the outcome of the bill. He pointed to changes in numerical strength and representation, suggesting that the current configuration is more decisive.

“You agree with me that this Parliament is not the same as the last Parliament. It is very different… This Parliament is 189 as against 87,” he added.

Bagbin further assured stakeholders that the bill will be passed when Parliament reconvenes, signaling renewed momentum behind the legislation.

His comments come in the wake of recent public reactions to President Mahama’s earlier remarks suggesting that the bill was not among the immediate priorities of Ghanaians. These remarks sparked criticism and debate across political lines.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George—who is also a lead sponsor of the original bill—has reaffirmed that the passage of the legislation remains a key priority for the government. His statement follows accusations from the opposition New Patriotic Party, which alleged inconsistency and deception regarding the government’s position on the bill.

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill seeks to regulate matters relating to sexual orientation, family values, and related social issues. Since its introduction, it has generated intense national debate, drawing strong opinions from religious bodies, traditional authorities, civil society organisations, and the international community.

The bill has now been formally laid before Parliament and referred to the committee responsible for Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for further scrutiny and consideration. This stage is expected to involve detailed review, stakeholder consultations, and possible amendments before it is brought back to the House for debate and final approval.

Supporters of the bill argue that it reflects the cultural, moral, and social values of many Ghanaians, noting that it was largely shaped by public input. However, critics have raised concerns about its potential implications for human rights, freedom of expression, and Ghana’s international obligations.

As Parliament prepares to reconvene, attention is expected to focus heavily on the bill, with both supporters and opponents closely monitoring developments that could shape Ghana’s legal and social landscape.