Bagbin: Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill set for first reading

Ghana’s Parliament is set to revisit the contentious Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely known as the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, as part of its current legislative agenda.

Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, announced that the bill will be laid before the House for its first reading during the second meeting of the Ninth Parliament.

Originally passed by the Eighth Parliament, the bill lapsed after it failed to secure presidential assent before the dissolution of Parliament ahead of the 2024 general election.

In March 2025, a group of Members of Parliament reintroduced it as a private member’s bill, requiring it to undergo the full legislative process once more.

The legislation aims to prohibit same-sex relationships and criminalize the promotion, advocacy, and funding of LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana.

In his opening remarks to mark the commencement of Parliament’s second meeting, Speaker Bagbin stated, “Three private members bills; The Property Rights of Spouses Bill 2025, 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.”