The Deputy National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alhaji Kamal-Deen Abdulai, has criticised Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, accusing him of softening his once-strong stance on the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025.

Speaking on a panel discussion on June 3, 2026, he expressed disappointment in the Speaker’s recent comments and handling of the bill following its passage on May 29, 2026.

“The Speaker of Parliament himself, what he said yesterday, to be honest with you, with great respect to him, I thought that he had even departed from his own principle. The passion with which he had on this has actually come down,” Abdulai said.

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Abdulai contrasted Bagbin’s past vocal support with his current approach, noting that the Speaker had previously been very active on the issue while in opposition.

“Alban Bagbin, while he was speaking in opposition, to the extent that he asked a question in Parliament, I refer to that. Today, look at the way he’s speaking; it’s a matter of procedure,” he added.

He suggested that the Speaker’s earlier strong position was politically motivated and has since changed now that he occupies high office.

“Today, as Speaker, the right thing must be done rightly. Look, he was doing politics the last time. Forget it. The man was doing politics when he pushed it to win power. That was all the Speaker of Parliament was doing the last time,” Abdulai stated.

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He urged politicians to treat the sensitive legislation with seriousness rather than using it for political gain.

“If you want to pass it, let’s pass it. If you don’t need such a law, let us not have it. But we cannot be playing political football with Ghanaians,” he emphasised.

Abdulai concluded by calling on both major political parties to take a firm and transparent stance on the issue.

“Ghanaians are watching both NPP and NDC. This is a matter we should face head-on.”

Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill: Bagbin appeals to Parliament to revisit passage process

Parliament passed the controversial bill on May 29, 2026, through a voice vote. However, Speaker Bagbin later expressed surprise at the manner of its approval and directed further reconsideration, calling for broader stakeholder consultations to ensure wider consensus and smoother implementation.

“I was surprised the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill was passed on Friday,” Bagbin was reported to have said, adding that “what is right must be done rightly.”

The bill, reintroduced as a private member’s bill in 2025, seeks to prohibit LGBTQ+ activities, promotion, and advocacy in Ghana. It prescribes penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment for certain offences. Supporters view it as a necessary safeguard for Ghanaian cultural and religious values, while critics argue it threatens human rights, freedom of expression, and access to services.

Watch the video below:

“The Speaker of Parliament has departed from his ways.” — Alhaji Kamal-Deen Abdulai

The Deputy National Communications Director of the NPP says Alban Bagbin has changed his posture on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, noting that the Speaker who was… pic.twitter.com/jxonLl9YCi

— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) June 3, 2026