The Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has announced that the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-gay bill, will soon be laid before the House for consideration.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Speaker stated that the bill is one of three private members' bills expected to be considered by the House for passage during the ongoing meeting.

“Three private members’ bills, the Property Rights of Spouses Bill 2025, the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2025, have completed the processes as required by the Standing Orders and are expected to be presented for a first reading during the course of this meeting,” the Speaker said.

It will be recalled that the Parliament of Ghana passed the anti-gay bill on February 28, 2024, sparking international condemnation, with most global media outlets describing it as one of the "most draconian anti-LGBT laws".

The bill outlaws Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) activities and criminalises their promotion, advocacy, and funding.

Persons found engaging in such acts are liable to a six-month to three-year custodial sentence, while promoters and sponsors face a three to five-year jail term.

However, the bill was not assented into law by then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who cited ongoing legal challenges filed at the Supreme Court.

On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Supreme Court dismissed the two suits challenging the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.

Despite this, President Akufo-Addo did not assent to the bill before leaving office.

The bill, therefore, expired with the Eighth Parliament and must now be reintroduced to the House for passage.



BAI/MA