Alban Bagbin vows to name MPs obstructing the Anti-Gay Bill

Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has issued a stern warning to Members of Parliament, vowing to publicly "name and shame" any individual attempting to hinder the progress of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025. During a parliamentary session, the Speaker emphasized his commitment to ensuring the legislation is passed during the current term to reflect Ghana's cultural and family values. He stated that the house would not tolerate internal attempts to frustrate the legislative process.

The Speaker's remarks come as Parliament prepares for a motion for a second consideration of the bill. Bagbin noted that the legislation requires revisiting to address previous technical errors and ensure it is robust before a final decision is made. He promised to work strictly within parliamentary rules to facilitate this reconsideration, while the Majority leadership has confirmed that the bill remains a priority on the current session's agenda.

Parallel to the Speaker's warning, the Minority in Parliament, led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to sign the bill without amendments that could alter its original intent. The Minority highlighted that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) supported the bill while in opposition and should maintain that consistency now that they are in government. They insisted that any changes to the bill could dilute its effectiveness and requested that the final version mirror the legislation previously discussed in 2024.

While the bill enjoys broad support from traditional and religious authorities who view it as a safeguard for societal morals, it continues to face criticism from human rights organizations. These groups argue that the bill may infringe upon constitutional rights and international human rights standards. Despite these concerns, the Speaker’s latest stance indicates a firm resolve to conclude the legislative process, with expectations mounting for President Mahama to provide his assent once the bill reaches his desk.