Ghana LGBTQ Bill: Parliament Corrects Errors for Mahama Assent

• Majority Leader James Agalga confirmed the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill will reach President John Dramani Mahama this month.
• Parliament is currently correcting errors found in the bill's penalty provisions to ensure alignment with existing legislation.
• These corrections require Parliament to rescind its third-reading decision for a second consideration, but no substantive changes are expected.
• An earlier version of the bill passed in February 2024 faced international condemnation and lapsed after President Akufo-Addo withheld assent.
• Speaker Alban Bagbin recently warned he would publicly identify anyone obstructing the bill's finalization.

The imminent Ghana LGBTQ bill Mahama assent signifies a crucial step towards its potential enactment, prompting legal and compliance professionals to prepare for its implications.

Ghana's controversial Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill is slated to reach President John Dramani Mahama for his assent this month, according to Majority Leader James Agalga. The parliamentary leader provided an unequivocal affirmation when questioned about the timeline, stating "Absolutely" regarding its transmission to the President before the legislative body adjourns. This development marks a critical juncture for the legislation, which has been the subject of extensive political debate, legal challenges, and strong criticism from human rights organizations.

The current delay in the bill's final transmission stems from the need for Parliament to rectify specific errors identified within its penalty provisions. These corrections are currently underway, paving the way for the bill to proceed to the presidential desk. The imminent Ghana LGBTQ bill Mahama assent signifies a crucial step towards its potential enactment, prompting legal and compliance professionals to prepare for its implications.

The identified inaccuracies primarily concern the methodology for calculating penalty units, which were found to be incorrectly formulated in several instances. Majority Leader Agalga elaborated that these penalty structures did not align appropriately with Ghana's existing legal framework. Leaving these discrepancies unaddressed would inevitably lead to significant difficulties for courts when tasked with imposing sentences, potentially undermining the bill's enforceability.

Agalga cautioned that without these necessary adjustments, the legislation, in its current form, would encounter substantial implementation challenges. To rectify these issues, Parliament must formally rescind its prior decision at the third-reading stage, thereby enabling a second consideration to specifically address the defective provisions. Despite this procedural step, Agalga assured that the core substance of the bill is not expected to undergo significant alteration.

The journey of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill has been marked by considerable contention and legislative setbacks. An earlier iteration of the bill, which received parliamentary approval in February 2024, garnered widespread international condemnation. This previous version also triggered warnings regarding its potential adverse effects on Ghana's access to development funding. Despite its passage, that version never achieved legal status, as then-President Nana Akufo-Addo withheld his assent pending the resolution of various legal challenges, ultimately leading to its lapse.

Parliament subsequently passed a revived version of the bill in May 2026. However, concerns regarding its punitive measures necessitated yet another review. The legislative body then proceeded on its recess in July of the same year without having completed the necessary revisions, contributing to the prolonged legislative process.

The ongoing efforts to finalize the bill are occurring amidst heightened pressure for its completion. Just recently, Speaker Alban Bagbin issued a public warning, indicating his intention to identify any individuals who might attempt to obstruct the legislative process. Regarding the question of presidential assent, Agalga firmly dismissed any suggestions that President Mahama's stance on the bill had shifted.

He underscored Parliament's constitutional mandate in lawmaking, asserting that it is the legislature's duty to enact laws. Agalga maintained that lawmakers must first resolve the identified problems within the bill. He emphasized that Parliament considers itself the appropriate forum for correcting these anomalies, thereby clearing the path for the bill's formal transmission to the President.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Ghana should prepare for the imminent enactment of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, as parliamentary corrections to its penalty provisions are being finalized for presidential assent this month. This requires immediate review of the bill's final text to assess new compliance obligations, potential legal risks for individuals and organizations, and to advise clients on navigating the implications of its enforcement.

Source: Original reporting via Joy News.