Speaker directs Parliament to reconsider passage of Anti-LGBTQ Bill

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has directed Parliament to revisit the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill, following concerns over whether the bipartisan support reflected in the committee report was adequately demonstrated during proceedings on the floor of the House.

The directive comes after questions emerged regarding the process through which the controversial legislation was passed.

According to Speaker Bagbin, the committee report accompanying the bill indicated unanimous support from both Majority and Minority members. However, he noted that the same level of bipartisan consensus was not clearly reflected during debates and voting on the floor of Parliament.

He explained that when a committee presents a report showing unanimous or bipartisan backing for a piece of legislation, such consensus should be evident throughout the parliamentary proceedings leading to its passage.

“Neither did the proceedings of that day convey the unanimity, nor bipartisan understanding upon which the bill was initially promoted and deliberated upon,” he stated.

The Speaker stressed that Parliament must reconsider aspects of the bill’s passage to ensure the broad support outlined in the committee report is properly reflected in the legislative process.

“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,” he said.

He further emphasized that the credibility and legitimacy of any law depend not only on its objectives but also on the integrity of the process used to enact it.

“The legitimacy, credibility, and enduring authority of any law depend not only on the objectives sought to be achieved, but also on the integrity of the process by which the law is enacted,” he added.

The development introduces a new dimension to the debate surrounding the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which has generated widespread discussion both within Ghana and internationally.

The bill seeks to prohibit LGBTQ-related activities and advocacy in Ghana and has been championed by lawmakers from both sides of the political divide. Supporters argue that it protects Ghanaian cultural and family values, while critics contend that it could infringe on constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms.

Speaker Bagbin's intervention comes amid ongoing scrutiny over whether all parliamentary procedures and constitutional requirements were fully observed during the bill’s passage.

“A legislation of this magnitude ought, as far as practicable, to command not merely the numerous support of a majority of Members, but also the broad confidence of the House regarding both its sustenance and the process by which it was adopted,” he noted.

He concluded with a reminder that due process remains essential in lawmaking, stating: “What is right must be done rightly.”

Meanwhile, on June 1, President John Dramani Mahama indicated that the bill still faces additional scrutiny before it can become law.

Speaking at Chatham House in London, the President explained that the legislation, which originated as a private member’s bill, must undergo legal and constitutional review before any decision on assent is made.

He noted that legal advisers at the Presidency and the Attorney-General’s Department would examine the bill to ensure all constitutional and procedural requirements have been met.

President Mahama also highlighted concerns relating to quorum and possible procedural lapses during the bill’s passage, adding that he retains the constitutional option of referring the legislation back to Parliament if substantial issues are identified.

“If there are issues, substantial issues that are raised, the president would return the bill to Parliament indicating exactly what the issues are,” he said.