Parliament has been asked to revisit the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, following fresh consultations among parliamentary leaders aimed at securing wider agreement on the proposed law.
Speaking on Tuesday, June 2, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin called for additional discussions involving both the Majority and Minority caucuses after concerns were raised about the manner in which the bill was passed.
The Speaker revealed that he was taken aback by the bill’s passage on Friday, May 29, explaining that he had expected the House to only commence the consideration stage rather than complete the entire process. He stressed the need for broader consensus given the significance of the legislation.
Mr. Bagbin noted that a number of stakeholders, including the United Nations and several development partners, had submitted recommendations and memoranda on the bill before its approval, highlighting the level of local and international attention surrounding the matter.
As a result, he convened an urgent meeting with parliamentary leadership from both sides of the aisle to review the circumstances leading to the bill’s passage and to explore the best way forward. According to him, achieving public support and ensuring effective implementation are just as important as securing parliamentary approval.
He maintained that the legislation’s success should be measured not only by its passage but also by its acceptance and practical impact on society.
The development comes after Parliament approved the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, following the adoption of several amendments.
Among the changes introduced are exemptions for lawyers providing legal services to persons identified as LGBTQ+, journalists and media organisations reporting on related matters in the course of their work, and healthcare professionals offering medical treatment and counselling.
Although members of the Minority Caucus opposed the amendments, arguing they exposed weaknesses in the earlier draft, the House proceeded with the passage of the bill, pending the remaining constitutional requirements.
