Ghana’s popular controversial bill, the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ Bill, is set to be passed by the end of the month before Parliament proceeds to recess, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin Sumana, has said.

Parliament is set to go on recess today, Friday, July 31, and according to the Speaker, the bill will be considered and passed before the House proceeds for the recess Sine die, marking the end of the Second Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament, which began on May 21, 2026.

Mr Bagbin said the bill, in its current form, requires further review, particularly three key clauses relating to sentencing provisions.

According to him, the reconsideration is necessary to address concerns over the punishment regime outlined in the legislation before it is brought back before the House for final consideration, urging that the whole conversation about the bill should not be politicised.

“Our intention is to do it before we go on recess. We are likely to do so even by tomorrow so that it assures you that the members you elected to Parliament are doing what you have asked them to do. There is no politics at all. Anybody who wants to take political advantage, just disregard it. Both Muslims and Christians agree; even the unbelievers know that if we don’t pass it, we are acting against the decree of God,” Mr Bagbin said.

About the Anti-LGBTQ Bill

It was first introduced in 2021 in Parliament on 2 August 2021 as a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by a bipartisan group of eight MPs, seven from the opposition NDC and one from the ruling NPP at the time. The lead sponsor was Samuel Nartey George, Member of Parliament for Ningo‑Prampram and Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations.

The MPs at the time included Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, MP for Ho West (NDC). Rockson‑Nelson Dafeamekpor, MP for South Dayi (NDC), Helen Adjoa Ntoso, MP for Krachi East (NDC), Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, MP for La Dadekotopon (NDC), Della Sowah, MP for Kpando (NDC), Alhassan Suhuyini, MP for Tamale North (NDC), John Ntim Fordjour, MP for Assin South (NPP).

It was initially passed in February 2024; however, it could not become a law as President Akufo-Addo did not assent to it.

Fast forward to after the NDC government assumed power; the bill was reintroduced in Parliament on February 17, 2026 and later passed on May 29, awaiting presidential assent.

However, President John Dramani Mahama raised concern over the Bill during a question-and-answer session at Chatham House in the United Kingdom (UK) on Monday, June 1. President Mahama indicated that he can only assent to the bill once those lapses are rectified.

According to him, the bill is marred by procedural and legal issues which were not addressed by Parliament before its passage. He emphasised that, given the domestic and international attention surrounding the bill, Ghana must ensure the right thing is done.

“The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill has probably been the bill that has evoked the most interest in Ghana. It shows how important issues of family values are. There have been a few issues raised. One, that there wasn’t a quorum when it was passed. That’s an issue that has come up, and then two, there were some procedural lapses in terms of its passage,” he stated.

The President further added that the legal counsel in the Presidency and the Attorney General would sit on it and make sure that everything is in order before the before he gives his approval.

“The president has another option. If there are some things that he thinks are a problem, he can refer it to the Council of State for advice. If substantial issues are raised, the president would return the bill to Parliament indicating exactly what the issues are. So there’s still quite a while to go before that bill becomes law,” he added.

The bill

The bill was designed to criminalise LGBTQ+ activities, advocacy, and funding, with penalties ranging from 3 to 10 years' imprisonment depending on the offence.

The bill sought to criminalise identifying as LGBTQ+, with offenders facing up to three years' imprisonment.

It also proposed sanctions against individuals accused of promoting LGBTQ+ rights, including teachers, journalists, doctors, parents and advocates.

Under the bill, LGBTQ+ organisations would have been outlawed, while donors and partner organisations risked prosecution.

The legislation further proposed restrictions on media content, making digital or broadcast promotion of LGBTQ+ activities punishable by up to 10 years' imprisonment.

It also sought to render same-sex marriages void and prohibit gender transition procedures.

Additionally, the bill proposed mandatory reporting requirements, compelling family members, educators, religious leaders and community members to report suspected LGBTQ+ activities.