Ghana Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin Re-introduces LGBTQ+ Bill

• Ghana's Speaker of Parliament has announced that the Human Sexual Right and Family Values Bill will be reintroduced today.
• The bill aims to criminalize same-sex relationships, ban LGBTQ+ advocacy and promotion, and protect traditional Ghanaian family values and culture.
• Lawyers should watch for the potential implications of this bill's passage on clients with interests in Ghana, particularly those involved in LGBTQ+-related activities or advocacy.
• The bill's provisions are overly broad and could be used to target individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Human rights groups have criticized the bill as a step backward for Ghana's commitment to human rights and democracy.

This is not a bill for Majority or Minority but a bill for all of us. I have gone through it and I am not happy with the sentencing regime and sections because I think it did not truly reflect what you conveyed to me.

Ghana's Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has announced that the Human Sexual Right and Family Values Bill, 2026, will be reintroduced to the House today. The bill aims to criminalize same-sex relationships, ban LGBTQ+ advocacy and promotion, and protect traditional Ghanaian family values and culture. According to Mr. Bagbin, he was not satisfied with the sentencing regime and sanctions of the original bill, which is why it needs to be revised. He has identified three clauses that will be considered when the bill is reintroduced, and expressed his intention to pass the bill before Parliament goes on recess.

Mr. Bagbin's decision to reintroduce the bill comes after it was previously passed by the 8th Parliament but failed to receive presidential assent from former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo. The bill has been a contentious issue, with disagreements between the Majority and Minority over its provisions.

The Speaker's move has sparked concerns among human rights groups and LGBTQ+ advocates, who fear that the bill will further marginalize already vulnerable communities.

The Human Sexual Right and Family Values Bill, 2026, is a contentious piece of legislation that has been at the center of debates in Ghana's Parliament. The bill was first introduced in 2019, but its passage was marked by disagreements between the Majority and Minority over its provisions. Despite being passed by the 8th Parliament, the bill failed to receive presidential assent from former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo.

The bill's reintroduction has raised concerns among human rights groups and LGBTQ+ advocates, who argue that it will further marginalize already vulnerable communities. They point out that the bill's provisions are overly broad and could be used to target individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Lawyers should take note of the potential implications of this bill's passage on clients with interests in Ghana, particularly those involved in LGBTQ+-related activities or advocacy.

The reintroduction of the Human Sexual Right and Family Values Bill, 2026, is a significant development that has far-reaching implications for human rights and LGBTQ+ communities in Ghana. The bill's passage would not only codify discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals but also undermine their right to equality and non-discrimination.

The Speaker's decision to reintroduce the bill has sparked widespread criticism from human rights groups, who argue that it is a step backward for Ghana's commitment to human rights and democracy. They point out that the bill's provisions are not only discriminatory but also unconstitutional, as they violate Ghana's international human rights obligations.

As the bill makes its way through Parliament, lawyers should be prepared to advise clients on the potential implications of its passage and how to navigate the complex legal landscape in Ghana.

Lawyers should watch for the potential implications of this bill's passage on clients with interests in Ghana, particularly those involved in LGBTQ+-related activities or advocacy.

Source: Original reporting via Ghanaian Times