Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has summoned the leadership of the House for discussions following the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, stressing the need for broad consensus to ensure the legislation’s effective implementation and public acceptance.
Addressing journalists on Monday, June 1, the Speaker expressed surprise at Parliament’s decision to pass the bill last Friday, explaining that he had anticipated the House would only begin the consideration stage before he left Parliament.
According to Mr. Bagbin, several stakeholders, including development partners and the United Nations, had submitted memoranda and proposals on the bill for Parliament’s consideration.
“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 stated.
He disclosed that he had invited leaders of both the Majority and Minority caucuses to a meeting to review the outcome of the legislative process and determine the appropriate way forward.
“This is such a critical matter that we believe there must be consensus. It’s not just about passing the bill; it’s about implementing it and ensuring that it benefits the people,” Mr. Bagbin added.
Parliament on Friday passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, popularly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, after adopting a number of amendments during the consideration stage.
The amended bill exempts lawyers who provide legal representation or advice to persons identified as LGBTQ+ from sanctions under the proposed law. Journalists and media organisations reporting on LGBTQ+-related issues in the course of their professional duties are also protected from punishment.
Additionally, healthcare professionals who provide surgical, psychological or counselling services to LGBTQ+ persons will not be sanctioned under the legislation.
The Minority Caucus opposed the amendments, arguing that they suggested significant deficiencies in the earlier version of the bill that had been submitted to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for assent.
Despite the objections, Parliament approved the amendments and passed the bill, subject to the remaining constitutional processes required before it can become law.