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Speaker Bagbin Urges Parliament to Reconsider Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2025

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has called on the House to revisit the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2025, which was passed last Friday, citing procedural concerns that could undermine the legislation’s credibility.

Date Created : 6/2/2026 : Story Author : Ghanandistricts.com

In a formal address to Parliament, Bagbin invoked Standing Orders 170, 171, and 172, which govern the consideration and amendment stages of bills. He noted that concerns have been raised regarding whether amendments agreed to during the consideration stage were accurately and appropriately incorporated into the final text made available to members before the third reading.

The Speaker emphasised that Standing Order 172(1) requires that at least one sitting day elapse after the consideration stage before the third reading is taken. While Parliament possesses the power under Order 3 to suspend any standing order with the leave of the House, Bagbin confirmed that this power was not exercised on Friday.

“These provisions exist to ensure that members are afforded a meaningful opportunity to know with certainty the exact text of a bill upon which they are called to take a final legislative decision,” Bagbin stated. He noted concerns that the final bill text incorporating all agreed amendments may not have been available to members in a manner enabling them to fully appreciate its exact form before passage.

The Speaker also acknowledged expressions from some members that amendments adopted during the consideration stage did not reflect the position taken by the committee, which had unanimously recommended the bill’s passage. He observed that the proceedings failed to convey the bipartisanship upon which the bill was initially promoted.

“The eye of the world is upon this Parliament,” Bagbin warned, noting that the bill’s implications on LGBTQ+ issues are a global concern. “What we do here must be able to withstand any legal and constitutional challenges that are sure to come.”

Bagbin appealed to members to reflect carefully on the issues raised and consider revisiting the decision on the third reading to permit reconsideration of the final text and amendments. Such a course, he clarified, “would not be an abandonment of the bill, nor a rejection of its objectives,” but rather a reaffirmation of Parliament’s commitment to due process, transparency, and legislative certainty.