Speaker Bagbin Vows Anti-LGBTQ Bill Will Become Law, Dismisses Critics as 'Rumour Mongers'

Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has issued a firm and unambiguous declaration that the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill -- widely known as the Anti-LGBTQ Bill -- will be enacted into law when Parliament reconvenes, silencing doubts and brushing aside what he labelled as deliberate misinformation being peddled by political opponents.

Speaking on Saturday, April 11, at the Speaker's Parliamentary Decentralisation Programme, Bagbin took direct aim at those he described as "rumour mongers" who have sought to cast doubt on the legislature's commitment to passing the legislation, insisting that Parliament's resolve has not wavered.

"I'm not a man of words. I'm a man of action. That is how we got it passed in Parliament."

The declaration was met with strong affirmation from those gathered, and Bagbin used the occasion to set the record straight on the bill's legislative status -- a matter that has generated sustained public debate in Ghana and attracted international attention from rights organisations, foreign governments, and faith communities alike.

A Bill That Has Already Cleared Parliament Once

The Anti-LGBTQ Bill was first passed by Ghana's Parliament in February 2024, making it one of the most comprehensive pieces of legislation of its kind ever to clear a West African legislature. The bill, which proposes strict penalties for same-sex conduct and for the promotion of LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana, drew both fierce domestic support and sharp international condemnation.

However, despite the bill's passage through Parliament under the previous administration, former President Nana Akufo-Addo declined to assent to it before leaving office. That decision -- seen by many supporters of the bill as a capitulation to foreign pressure -- has remained a point of contention. Bagbin, who as Speaker oversaw the bill's passage, made clear he was not responsible for that outcome.

"But for some reason, the President did not assent to it," he told the gathering. "I'm sure one of the reasons why you punished him and his party is one of these."

The reference was widely understood as an allusion to the ruling New Patriotic Party's defeat in the December 2024 general elections -- a loss that returned the National Democratic Congress and President John Dramani Mahama to power.

Presidential Assent Now Within Reach, Says Bagbin

With a new administration in place, Speaker Bagbin expressed optimism that the bill will now complete its journey from Parliament to the statute books. He disclosed that he had received a personal assurance from President Mahama that the bill will receive presidential assent once it is formally passed in the current Parliament.

"His Excellency the President assured me that when we pass the bill, and it comes to him, he is going to assent to it."

This is a notable shift from the position under the previous administration and signals that the bill -- having fulfilled all its constitutional requirements in Parliament -- now stands a genuine chance of becoming the law of the land. The Speaker was careful to note that the bill has already moved through all required legislative stages and is positioned for final enactment at the next sitting of Parliament.

"We started, and we processed it. It has gone through all the stages, and the next meeting of Parliament will see us passing that bill into law," he stated with visible confidence.

Speaker Slams "Rumour Mongers" and Political Bad Actors

A significant portion of Bagbin's address was devoted to rebuking those he accused of deliberately misleading Ghanaians about Parliament's intentions on the bill. He urged citizens to exercise discernment and not be swayed by commentary from people who, in his view, do not understand parliamentary processes.

"Don't listen to people who don't know what is in Parliament. Please, I repeat, don't listen to people who don't know what is in Parliament," he said.

The Speaker's frustration appeared to be directed at a growing chorus of voices -- including some advocacy groups and media commentators -- who have suggested that the bill may be quietly shelved or diluted under the new administration. Bagbin appeared determined to put such speculation to rest once and for all.

"Please leave the rumour mongers. They can play that kind of bad politics. That is not what we are here for," he said.

Several Members of Parliament who have championed the bill over the years echoed similar sentiments in the lead-up to the event, stressing that the legislation has strong grassroots support and reflects deeply held values within Ghanaian society.

A Broader Conversation About Sovereignty and Values

Beyond the specifics of the bill itself, Speaker Bagbin also used his address to frame the debate in terms of national sovereignty and cultural identity -- themes that have become central to how proponents of the legislation defend it against international criticism.

Ghana has faced pressure from Western governments and international institutions, including threats to review foreign aid and financial support, over the bill. Bagbin appeared to address this directly with a pointed declaration about the limits of external influence on Ghana's legislative choices.

"We resist it today. We will not be colonised again. That is gone. It's history."

He also spoke about the importance of Ghana upholding its own cultural values and principles in the face of what he described as negative influences from abroad.

"Our culture, values, and principles are different," he noted, framing the bill not merely as a matter of law but as an assertion of Ghanaian identity.

This line of argument resonates strongly with many Ghanaians who see the bill as a necessary affirmation of traditional and religious values that are central to the country's social fabric. Ghana is a deeply religious nation, with the vast majority of its population identifying as either Christian or Muslim -- faiths that have historically been aligned in their opposition to LGBTQ+ recognition and practice.

What Comes Next

With the Speaker's declaration now firmly on the record and a reported presidential commitment to assent, the fate of the Anti-LGBTQ Bill appears to be moving toward a decisive resolution. While opponents of the legislation -- including international human rights bodies and some domestic civil society groups -- are likely to intensify their advocacy, the legislative mechanics appear to be firmly in place.

Key milestones observers will be watching for include:

• The reconvening of Parliament and the scheduling of the bill for final passage
• Any formal communication from the presidency affirming the commitment to assent
• Responses from Ghana's development partners and international stakeholders
• Potential legal challenges from civil society groups once the bill is passed

For now, Speaker Bagbin has made his position unmistakable. Having shepherded the bill through Parliament once before, he appears intent on ensuring that this time, the process goes all the way -- from passage to presidential signature to law.

As Ghana continues to navigate the tensions between its own cultural and religious convictions and the expectations of its international partners, the Anti-LGBTQ Bill remains one of the defining legislative moments of the current era. How the Mahama administration ultimately handles it will say a great deal about the direction Ghana intends to take on questions of sovereignty, values, and governance in the years ahead.