Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin assured that the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2026, widely referred to as the anti-LGBTQ bill will be considered and likely be passed by the House before they go on recess sine die ending the second meeting of the second session of the Ninth Parliament which began on May 21, 2026.

The Speaker Alban Bagbin indicated that the House will likely rescind its decision on the passage of the bill to allow for the review of three key clauses aimed at strengthening the sentencing regime before its re-passage.

Although a motion to rescind the earlier decision was listed on the Order Paper for Friday, July 31, 2026, the House was unable to adopt it before adjournment.

Although the House couldn’t consider the anti-LGBTQ Bill , it passed other bills during the sitting on Friday.

Among these include the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, which guarantees cocoa farmers not less than 70 per cent of the Free on Board (FOB) export price through the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

Lawmakers also passed the Excise Bill, 2026, abolishing excise taxes on locally manufactured fruit juices to lower consumer prices, encourage healthier consumption and support local agro-processing industries.

The House further approved the Customs Bill, 2026, establishing a modern legal framework for customs administration to consolidate existing customs laws, facilitate international trade, strengthen border security and improve domestic revenue mobilisation.

Parliament also passed the Tribunals Bill, which provides for the establishment of Regional and District Tribunals to help reduce the backlog of cases in the courts.

Other key legislation approved includes the National Defence University Ghana Bill and the Community Service Bill, which introduces community service as an alternative to custodial sentences for persons convicted of specified categories of offences.

The House adjourned after concluding debate on the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review presented by the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, marking the end of its business for the meeting before the parliamentary recess.

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.