Parliament has rescinded its earlier passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.
This according to Parliament, follows the discovery of inconsistencies between decisions taken by lawmakers and the final version of the legislation.
The decision was announced by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, after the House approved a motion to reverse its May 29, 2026, resolution adopting the bill at the third-reading stage.
The move is intended to allow lawmakers to revisit the legislation, correct identified discrepancies and address concerns surrounding some of its provisions before it proceeds through the remaining parliamentary processes.
Explaining the decision, Mr Bagbin said Parliament’s Legislation Drafting Department had identified inconsistencies during its review of the bill after its third reading.
He explained that although the department was responsible for translating decisions made by MPs into legislative text, it lacked the authority to independently alter provisions reflecting decisions already taken by the House.
“After the third reading, there is a department here we refer to as the Legislation Drafting Department. They are the drafters who draft all what we do here, the decisions we take,” he told lawmakers.
According to the Speaker, the department could correct minor drafting errors but had to refer substantive discrepancies to Parliament for reconsideration.
“If they were just minor errors, the draft people could put them right. But once there are decisions, they cannot tamper with the decision of the House. It has to be brought back for the House to do the proper thing,” he said.
The motion to rescind the earlier passage was moved by Majority Leader James Agalga and seconded by the Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor.
Mr Bagbin subsequently put the motion before the House for a voice vote, which was carried.
“Honourable members, the ayes have it. The House has accordingly rescinded its earlier decision, which was taken on Friday, May 29, 2026, in respect of the third reading of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2025,” the Speaker declared.
The reversal also follows concerns about the bill’s penalty provisions, particularly the computation of penalty units and their alignment with existing laws.
The bill, which was reintroduced in February 2025 after an earlier version lapsed in January of that year, was passed by Parliament on May 29, 2026, with amendments providing exemptions for certain professional activities, including legal representation, journalism and medical services relating to LGBTQ+ persons.
Following Tuesday’s decision, the legislation is expected to return to the House for a second consideration stage, where lawmakers will have the opportunity to examine and reconcile the outstanding inconsistencies.
A committee report is expected to be presented to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026, as part of efforts to advance the legislative process.
