Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has called for a review of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, citing procedural lapses during its passage on Friday, May 29, 2026.
Addressing the House, the Speaker commended Ghanaians, traditional and religious leaders, civil society, and Members of Parliament (MPs) for their broad support for what he described as a more comprehensive law on human sexual rights and family values.
He also praised the bill’s bipartisan sponsors and the committee that worked on it.
However, Bagbin raised concerns about how the final stages of the bill were handled. He noted that parliamentary records show the bill went through the consideration stage, had its third reading, and was passed on the same day.
The Speaker cited Orders 171, 172, and 173 of the Standing Orders. Order 172 requires that amendments agreed during consideration be accurately captured in the bill. Order 173 mandates the Clerk to incorporate those amendments and make the revised bill available to MPs before the third reading.
Order 171, he explains, also allows any MP to request a second consideration before the third reading, while Order 172(1) states that the third reading must wait at least one sitting day after consideration ends.
Bagbin pointed out that although Order 3 allows the House to suspend Standing Orders, that was not done in this case.
He said concerns have emerged over whether MPs received the final text with all amendments before the third reading.
“The eyes of the world are upon this Parliament regarding this bill and its LGBTQ+ implications. Whatever we do must be capable of withstanding legal and constitutional scrutiny,” the Speaker stated in the House on Tuesday, June 2.
He urged the House to handle the matter with wisdom, patriotism, and mutual respect to ensure the final law reflects both Parliament’s will and the fullest support of Ghanaians.
Source: Mfimfinhene Nana Amoako Gyampa
