Parliament’s Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee has commenced clause-by-clause consideration of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely known as the anti-LGBTQ bill.
The public hearing, which began on Thursday, April 23, 2026, is scheduled to continue on Friday, April 24. It is expected to allow stakeholders to provide input as the reintroduced legislation undergoes further scrutiny before Parliament resumes the process for its passage.
The development comes weeks after the Minority accused the government of yielding to external pressure to delay the bill, claiming that the strong stance previously taken by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has weakened.
In response to the controversy, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin recently reaffirmed that the bill will be passed once the House reconvenes in May.
Chairman of the Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee, Shaibu Mahama, described the ongoing engagement as an opportunity for Parliament to revisit and refine the bill.
“This is a blessing in disguise. With time, circumstances change, and this gives us the chance to review the bill, address any gaps, and ensure that the rights of individuals are properly protected,” he said during his opening remarks.
He added that Parliament now has the opportunity to amend or reshape provisions that may have been overlooked before the previous Parliament ended.
However, proponent of the bill, John Ntim Fordjour, argued that the legislation should be expedited, insisting that concerns raised by stakeholders had already been addressed during earlier consultations.
“I do not think this bill must be subjected to fresh national dialogues. The same stakeholders and civil society organisations have already contributed in the previous process. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with the bill that requires further review,” he said.
He maintained that while due process must be followed, the bill can be fast-tracked without breaching parliamentary procedures or constitutional requirements.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill seeks to criminalise same-sex relationships and related advocacy activities.
