(VIDEO) Bagbin Calls for Review of Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill Over Procedural Concerns
Speaker says concerns over amendments and parliamentary procedure must be addressed before the bill proceeds.
- Bagbin cites procedural concerns in the bill’s passage.
- MPs reportedly questioned whether final amendments were properly captured.
- Speaker calls for a review to ensure legal and constitutional compliance.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has called for a review of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, citing concerns about procedural irregularities during its passage in Parliament.
Addressing the House, the Speaker commended Ghanaians, traditional authorities, religious leaders, civil society groups and Members of Parliament for their support of the proposed legislation, which he described as a comprehensive framework on human sexual rights and family values.
He also praised the bipartisan sponsors of the bill and the parliamentary committee that worked on it.
Despite the broad support, Bagbin expressed concern about the manner in which the final stages of the bill were handled. According to parliamentary records, the bill completed the consideration stage, underwent a third reading and was passed on the same day, May 29.
The Speaker referred to Orders 171, 172 and 173 of Parliament’s Standing Orders, which outline the procedures governing the passage of legislation. He explained that Order 172 requires all amendments adopted during the consideration stage to be properly reflected in the bill, while Order 173 mandates the Clerk to revise the document and make it available to MPs before the third reading.
He further noted that Order 171 allows any Member of Parliament to request a second consideration before the third reading, while Order 172(1) stipulates that the third reading should take place at least one sitting day after the conclusion of the consideration stage.
Bagbin pointed out that although Parliament has the authority under Order 3 to suspend Standing Orders when necessary, no such suspension was carried out during the bill’s passage.
He also highlighted concerns raised by some MPs regarding whether they had received the final amended version of the bill before the third reading. Others reportedly questioned whether the amendments incorporated into the bill reflected the unanimous position contained in the committee’s report.
“The eyes of the world are upon this Parliament regarding this bill and its LGBTQ+ implications,” Bagbin stated, stressing the need for Parliament’s actions to withstand legal and constitutional scrutiny.
He urged lawmakers to approach the matter with wisdom, patriotism and mutual respect to ensure that any final legislation accurately reflects Parliament’s intentions while maintaining public confidence and constitutional integrity.
From Prince Joe Boadi
