Speaker Bagbin confirms reintroduction of LGBTQ+ bill with personal inputs

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has confirmed that the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ bill will be re-introduced on the floor of Parliament.

He said the re-introduction of the LGBTQ bill would come with his personal inputs as the Chairman of the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament.

Addressing the anti-LGBTQ bill matter on the floor of the House in Accra on Tuesday after its removal from the Order Paper last week, Mr Bagbin said the bill was history because it expired with the dissolution of the Eighth Parliament, therefore, it must be relayed on the floor of the House.

This move comes amid growing calls from the Minority Caucus for greater transparency and accountability in the bill’s legislative journey.

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin stated that all the amendments to the bill must be published.

Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, Member of Parliament for Damongo, insisted that the shape and form of the bill must be maintained when being re-introduced.

Speaker Bagbin, a vocal advocate for the bill, said President John Mahama and the NDC government were committed and ready to pass the bill into law.

The bill, which expired with the dissolution of the Eighth Parliament in 2024, had earlier been passed by Parliament but failed to receive presidential assent under previous NPP government.

A bipartisan group of 10 members of Parliament, led by Sam George (NDC, Ningo-Prampram) and John Ntim Fordjour (NPP, Assin South) formally reintroduced it as a Private Members bill.

The legislation seeks to criminalise LGBTQ activities, advocacy, and funding, proposing up to three years’ imprisonment for engaging in same-sex acts and up to 10 years for promoting or financing LGBTQ activities.

The coalition includes MPs from both the Majority and Minority sides, signaling broad parliamentary support despite public and international criticism.

The Minority Caucus is calling for clarity on the bill’s status, legislative timeline, and the nature of amendments being proposed.

They insisted that the public and civil society must be adequately informed and involved in the process to ensure democratic accountability.

Speaker Bagbin’s active involvement and the Minority’s demand for transparency suggest a more scrutinized and possibly contentious legislative process ahead.

As Ghana navigates this complex issue, the balance between cultural preservation and human rights will remain at the heart of the national conversation.

Source: GNA

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