The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has directed the House to revisit the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, following concerns regarding procedural compliance and the extent to which bipartisan consensus was reflected during its approval on Friday, May 29, 2026.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, Speaker Bagbin indicated that he had expected the House to commence the consideration stage of the bill rather than complete its passage. He noted that although the committee report presented the legislation as having unanimous bipartisan support, this consensus was not evident during proceedings on the floor of Parliament.
“Neither did the proceedings of that day convey the unanimity, nor bipartisan understanding upon which the bill was initially promoted and deliberated upon,” he stated. He further stressed that “the legitimacy, credibility, and enduring authority of any law depend not only on the objectives sought to be achieved, but also on the integrity of the process by which the law is enacted.”
The Speaker subsequently convened parliamentary leaders for consultations, emphasizing the importance of broad-based agreement on the legislation. He referenced submissions and concerns raised by both domestic stakeholders and international partners, including the United Nations.
“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 it benefits the people,” he said, adding that “what is right must be done rightly.”
The bill currently contains exemptions for medical practitioners, legal professionals, and media personnel. However, members of the Minority Caucus have argued that the amendments introduced during deliberations point to broader structural issues within the legislation.
