The Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has appealed to the House to revisit the third reading of the _Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025_, in the “spirit of consensus” and “scrupulous adherence to procedure”, even as Ghana prepares to host 30 African countries for the 4th Inter-Parliamentary Conference starting Wednesday June 3.
Delivering a formal communication on the floor Tuesday June 2, Speaker Bagbin said his intervention was not to abandon or reject the Bill, but to protect the “legitimacy, credibility and enduring authority” of the law by ensuring the legislative process meets constitutional and procedural standards.
Procedural concerns under Standing Orders
Speaker Bagbin flagged potential breaches of Orders 170, 171, 172 and 173. He noted that Order 172 requires amendments agreed at consideration stage to be “captured accurately and incorporated” into the Bill, while Order 173 mandates the Clerk to make the amended Bill available to Members before third reading. Order 172 Sub-order 1 also requires at least one sitting day to elapse between consideration and third reading, unless the House suspends the Standing Order – which, he said, did not happen on Friday May 29.
The purpose is to ensure Members know with certainty the exact text before final legislative decision, and to permit adequate reflection,” the Speaker stated.
Availability of final text vrs Committee report
The Speaker said questions had been raised on whether the final text incorporating all amendments was available to Members before passage. He also noted concerns that the Committee’s unanimous recommendation and the Bill’s bi-partisan character were not fully reflected in the proceedings of May 29.
“For legislation of this magnitude, it ought to command not just numerical support, but broad confidence of the House on both substance and process. What is right must be done rightly,” he emphasized.
Global scrutiny vrs Ghana’s leadership role
With the Parliament of Ghana set to host over 300 delegates from 30 African countries from June 3-6 to finalize the Draft African Charter on Family, Sovereignty & Values, Speaker Bagbin said the world’s eyes are on Ghana’s Parliament.
“The Bill and its implications on LGBTQ+ issues are a global concern… What we do here must withstand any legal and constitutional challenges sure to come,” he said, adding that Ghana’s credibility in leading Africa depends on laws passed with both conviction and correct procedure.
*Appeal for consensus, not abandonment*
Clarifying his position, Speaker Bagbin emphasized: “For the avoidance of doubt: my concern is that legislation of such profound national importance should proceed on a foundation of broad parliamentary support, bi-partisan cooperation and scrupulous adherence to procedures… Such a course would not be an abandonment of the Bill nor a rejection of its objectives. Rather, it will represent a reaffirmation of Parliament’s commitment to due process.”
He appealed to Members to “reflect carefully” and “revisit the decision on third reading” to permit reconsideration of the final text and amendments, to secure “confidence, unity, collective ownership… and respect for our faith, laws and passion of the nation.”
Background
The House passed the Bill on Friday May 29, 2026 after consideration stage and third reading on the same day. The Bill has drawn strong public support from traditional, religious and civil society leaders, but also faces anticipated legal and international scrutiny.
Speaker Bagbin concluded by expressing confidence that Members will approach the matter with “wisdom, patriotism, mutual respect and shared commitment to the integrity of our parliamentary democracy.”
By: Christian Kpesese
