The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin, has provided a major update on the legislative progress of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill (Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill).
As of Saturday, April 11, 2026, the Speaker has assured the public and religious leaders that President John Dramani Mahama is fully committed to signing the bill into law once it successfully completes its current parliamentary cycle.
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The Assurance from the Speaker
Speaker Bagbin’s assertion comes amid heightened public interest and calls from religious groups for the "National Reset" to include the immediate protection of Ghanaian cultural values:
Direct Assurance: Bagbin stated that President Mahama has explicitly communicated his readiness to assent to the bill "without hesitation," characterizing the legislation as a reflection of the will of the Ghanaian people.
Correcting the "Lapse": The Speaker clarified that while the original bill passed in February 2024 expired following the dissolution of the 8th Parliament, the current 9th Parliament is fast-tracking the reintroduced version.
Executive Cooperation: Unlike the previous administration, which cited pending court cases as a reason for delay, the current administration has signaled that it views the bill as an essential legislative priority.
Mahama’s Stance (2025–2026)
President Mahama has consistently reaffirmed his administration’s opposition to same-sex marriage and transgender rights since returning to office in January 2025:
"Family as Foundation": During a recent meeting with the Christian Council of Ghana, Mahama emphasized that his government’s position remains firm: "Marriage is between a man and a woman".
A "Government Bill" Preference: While the bill is currently a Private Member’s Bill (reintroduced by 10 MPs in March 2025), Mahama has noted he would prefer it to eventually be adopted as a government bill to streamline its implementation and defense.
Human Rights Counter-Narrative: In response to concerns from groups like Human Rights Watch, the President has argued that "traditional family values" are themselves a fundamental human right for the Ghanaian collective.
Current Status of the Bill (April 11, 2026)
The bill is currently moving through the committee stage of the 9th Parliament.
| Milestone | Status | Expected Date |
| Reintroduction | Completed (March 2025). | — |
| First Reading | Completed (October 2025). | — |
| Committee Review | Ongoing (Constitutional & Legal Affairs). | Q2 2026 |
| Third Reading | Pending | June 2026 |
| Presidential Assent | Commitment Received. | July 2026 |
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