Bagbin Seeks Cross-Party Consensus on ANTI-LGBTQ++ Bill After Surprise Passage

Bagbin Seeks Cross-Party Consensus on Human Sexual Rights Bill After Surprise Passage
Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has convened a meeting of parliamentary leadership following the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, stressing the need for broad consensus to ensure the legislation can be effectively implemented and accepted by the public.
The Speaker disclosed that he was surprised by Parliament’s decision to pass the bill last Friday, explaining that he had anticipated lawmakers would only begin the consideration stage of the legislation before he left the chamber.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, June 1, Mr. Bagbin revealed that numerous stakeholders, including development partners and the United Nations, had submitted memoranda and recommendations on the proposed law, making it necessary for Parliament to carefully navigate the next steps.
“In fact, when it was passed on Friday, it was even a surprise to me because I knew that they were going to start the consideration of the bill,” he said.
According to the Speaker, he has invited leaders of both the Majority and Minority caucuses for discussions on the circumstances surrounding the bill’s passage and the way forward.
“This is such a critical deal that we believe there must be consensus. It’s not about passing the bill; it’s about implementing it and making sure that it benefits the people,” he stated.
Parliament on Friday passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, after approving a number of amendments during the consideration stage.
The revised legislation exempts lawyers who provide legal representation or advice to persons identified as LGBTQ from sanctions under the law. Journalists and media organisations reporting on LGBTQ-related matters in the course of their professional duties are also protected from punishment.
In addition, medical practitioners who provide surgical, psychological, counselling and other healthcare services to LGBTQ persons are exempt from sanctions under the bill.
The amendments sparked opposition from the Minority Caucus, which argued that the changes exposed weaknesses in the earlier version of the legislation that had previously been forwarded to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for assent.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill remains one of the most debated pieces of legislation in Ghana’s recent parliamentary history, drawing strong support from religious and traditional groups while also attracting concerns from some civil society organisations, development partners and international bodies.
With the bill now passed, attention is expected to shift to the implementation process and efforts to build consensus among stakeholders on its provisions and intended impact.