Bagbin Orders Committee to Fast‑Track Anti‑LGBTQ+ Bill Report Before Parliament Adjourns

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has directed the committee handling the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 to submit its report for consideration and passage before the current meeting of Parliament ends.

Addressing the House as Parliament resumed sitting on Thursday, May 21, the Speaker underscored the bill’s national importance and urged the committee to expedite its work.

“In view of the significance of the bill and the need to advance the legislative process, I urge the committee to present its report for consideration and passage by the House before the end of this meeting. Very important,” he said.

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill—widely referred to as the anti‑LGBTQ+ bill—remains one of the most contentious pieces of legislation in recent years. It has drawn strong backing from religious bodies and traditional authorities, while attracting criticism from human rights groups and some international organisations.

Mr. Bagbin acknowledged growing public concern over delays in the bill’s passage, noting that Parliament is fully aware of the expectations of Ghanaians.

“Parliament has also taken note of the concerns recently expressed by sections of the public and various stakeholders regarding the delay in the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2025,” he said.

“We appreciate the keen public interest in this important legislation, and acknowledge the expectations of the citizenry on the matter.”

According to the Speaker, the committee responsible for the bill has already completed its stakeholder consultations and public hearings, clearing the way for the next stage of the legislative process.

“As stakeholders may be aware, the committee responsible for the bill has concluded its public hearing and stakeholder engagements,” he added.

His remarks reinforce earlier assurances that the current Parliament is committed to passing the bill—after the previous version failed to become law when former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo‑Addo declined to assent before the dissolution of the last Parliament.

Mr. Bagbin has consistently maintained that the legislation reflects the values and cultural expectations of many Ghanaians and remains a priority for the House.

--CitiNewsRoom