Africa-Press – Ghana. The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has directed the Business Committee of Parliament to schedule the reintroduction of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, for consideration.
The Bill was first introduced in the Eighth Parliament as a Private Member’s Bill and was subsequently passed on February 28, 2024. However, it did not receive presidential assent before the dissolution of the Eighth Parliament and therefore lapsed.
Delivering a communiqué on the floor of the House on Tuesday, Mr Bagbin explained that the directive was intended to ensure the proper reintroduction of the Bill for debate and consideration, given that it had already gone through the necessary parliamentary procedures in line with the Standing Orders.
He said his directive followed a review of the report of the Committee on Private Members’ Bills and Private Members’ Motions, which confirmed that the proposed legislation complied with constitutional requirements.
Quoting the Committee’s findings, the Speaker stated: “The Bill maintains its underlying principles and core objectives. The Bill does not contravene any constitutional provision, particularly Articles 106 and 108 of the 1992 Constitution.
The Bill does not contain any provision that seeks to impose taxation or charges on the Consolidated Fund or other public funds of Ghana.”
In the Ninth Parliament, the Bill was referred to the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice for review and comments.
The Attorney-General submitted its opinion in April 2025, which was subsequently forwarded to the sponsors of the Bill for consideration.
Mr Bagbin noted that by correspondence dated February 5, 2025, a group of Members of Parliament, including Samuel Nartey George, Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah, Rev John Ntim Fordjour, Helen Ntoso, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Alhassan Tampuli Sulemana, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, Mahama Tia Abrokwah, and Anthony Effah, expressed their intention to reintroduce the Bill.
Following a fiscal impact assessment and further review, the Committee unanimously recommended that the Bill be brought before the House.
The Speaker emphasized that the Bill had met all constitutional and procedural thresholds and accordingly directed the Business Committee to schedule it for reintroduction and debate.
Civil society groups, international partners and advocacy organizations are expected to closely follow the Bill’s progress as it returns to the floor of Parliament.
