As of Saturday, April 11, 2026, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban S.K. Bagbin, has issued a stern response to what he calls "rumour mongers" and critics questioning the 9th Parliament’s commitment to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.
Speaking directly to the rising public concern over the legislative timeline, the Speaker reaffirmed his personal and institutional resolve to see the bill enacted into law without further delays.
Man of Action vs. The Delays
The Speaker’s comments address the "raging concerns" from religious and traditional groups who feel the "National Reset" should prioritize the bill's final passage:
Dismissing the Rumours: Bagbin addressed claims that the bill was being intentionally "stalled" due to international pressure or economic threats. He told reporters:
“Forget the rumour mongers. I am a man of action, and I will pass the bill.”.
Institutional Priority: Earlier this week, the Speaker officially directed the Business Committee to prioritize the bill on the Order Paper, ensuring it is scheduled for active consideration during the current session of the 9th Parliament.
Procedural Stand: Bagbin emphasized that while the bill had to be reintroduced in March 2025 as a Private Member's Bill because the 2024 version expired, the 9th Parliament will not allow it to "lapse" a second time.
Legislative Context: The 2026 Reintroduction
The bill is currently moving through its necessary stages following its formal reintroduction by a group of 10 MPs in early 2025.
| Phase | Current Status (April 2026) |
| Reintroduction | Completed (March 2025). |
| First Reading | Completed (October 2025). |
| Committee Review | Finalizing Report (Constitutional & Legal Affairs). |
| Second/Third Reading | Scheduled for Q2 2026. |
The Economic and Human Rights Friction
Despite the Speaker’s "man of action" stance, the bill continues to face significant pushback from international and domestic human rights organizations:
Human Rights Warnings: Human Rights Watch and Ghana’s CHRAJ have warned that the 2026 version extends penalties beyond sexual conduct to criminalize mere identification and advocacy, calling it a violation of fundamental rights.
Economic Risk: The Ministry of Finance remains concerned about the potential loss of up to $3.8 billion in World Bank and IMF funding if the bill is signed in its current form.
Diplomatic Pressure: Bagbin has notably pushed back against Western diplomats, reiterating that "Ghana’s sovereignty and family values are not for sale.".
The Final Step: Assent
In a separate but related development, Speaker Bagbin has indicated that President John Dramani Mahama has privately assured him of his readiness to sign the bill once it reaches his desk, a significant shift from the "wait and see" approach of the previous administration.
“The 'LGBT pandemic' will be nipped in the bud. We are the custodians of the people’s will, and that will shall prevail.” — Speaker Alban Bagbin.
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