Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has called on Members of Parliament to revisit the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, citing the need to strengthen consensus, procedural integrity, and national unity.
Addressing the House, the Speaker said his appeal was guided by his constitutional and parliamentary duty to promote consensus on matters before Parliament. According to him, a reconsideration of the bill would help ensure that the final legislation enjoys broad support and confidence among lawmakers and the Ghanaian public.
“This statement is consistent with my obligation under Order 24B of the Standing Orders to promote consensus on matters under consideration in the House,” Bagbin stated.
He urged Members of Parliament to carefully reflect on whether further consideration of the bill would better secure public confidence and reinforce collective ownership of the legislation.
“It is with this conviction that I invite honourable members to reflect on whether further consideration of this matter may better secure the confidence, unity, collective ownership of the bill, and respect for our faiths, laws, and passion of the nation,” he said.
The Speaker further appealed to lawmakers to place the national interest above partisan considerations and to consider the broader implications of the bill’s passage. He emphasised the importance of preserving the bipartisan nature of the legislation while maintaining unity within Parliament and across the country.
“Accordingly, I respectfully appeal to honourable members to reflect carefully upon the issues raised and to consider in the larger national interest the bipartisan character of the bill, the unity of the House and the nation, and the need to maintain the highest standards of procedural integrity,” he stated.
Rt Hon Bagbin specifically called on Parliament to revisit its decision at the third reading stage of the bill to allow for a reconsideration of the final text and any amendments that may be necessary.
According to him, such a move should not be interpreted as a rejection of the bill or its objectives. Rather, he argued that it would demonstrate Parliament’s commitment to constitutional principles and sound legislative practice.
“Such a course, if adopted by the House, would not be an abandonment of the bill nor a rejection of its objectives,” he stressed.
“Rather, it would represent a reaffirmation of Parliament’s commitment to due process, fidelity to the Constitution, consensus building, transparency, and legislative certainty.”
The Speaker added that revisiting the legislation would help ensure that any final decision reflects not only the will of Parliament but also enjoys the necessary legal backing and public legitimacy.
“It would ensure that any final decision taken by the House reflects not only the will of Parliament but also the full support of guardians in the law that is ultimately enacted,” he noted.
Concluding his remarks, Rt Hon Bagbin expressed confidence that Members of Parliament would approach the matter with wisdom, patriotism and mutual respect while safeguarding the integrity of Ghana’s parliamentary democracy.
“Honourable Members, I remain confident that honourable members will approach this matter with wisdom, patriotism, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the integrity of our parliamentary democracy and the dignity of this House,” he said.