Speaker of Parliament 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.
Addressing the House, the Speaker commended Ghanaians, traditional and religious leaders, civil society, and 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 Subsidiary Legislation Committee that worked on it.
However, Bagbin raised concerns about the handling of the bill’s final stages.
He noted that parliamentary records show the bill went through the consideration stage, had its third reading, and was passed on the same day, May 29, 2026.
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. At the same time, Order 173 mandates the Clerk to incorporate those amendments and make the revised bill available to MPs before the third reading.
Order 171 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.
Some members also complained that the adopted amendments did not match the unanimous position in the committee’s report.
“The eyes of the world are upon this Parliament regarding this bill and its LGBTQ+ implications,” the Speaker said. “Whatever we do must be capable of withstanding legal and constitutional scrutiny.”
He stressed that the bill began as a bipartisan initiative and that laws of national importance should have cross-party cooperation and strict compliance with procedure. “Procedural law is as equally important as substantive law,” he added.
Invoking Order 24B, which enjoins him to promote consensus, Bagbin appealed to MPs to revisit the third reading decision.
He said a second look at the final text would not abandon the bill but would reaffirm Parliament’s commitment to due process, constitutional fidelity, transparency, and legislative certainty.
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.
He added that it will help in its implementation, which is another area that will be essential in its efficacy.
The Minority, particularly co-sponsor John Ntim Fordjour, has raised concerns over the significant changes of the bill, which do not reflect the objectives and aspirations of the sponsors.
“The exemptions smuggled into the bill make the bill empty”
READ ALSO:
Newly recruited health workers to begin work by July – Health Minister
Transport operator granted GHC50,000 bail for allegedly contracting thugs to attack GPRTU chairman
