Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has reiterated his commitment to ensuring the swift passage of the controversial LGBTQ+ Bill into law this year.
Addressing Ghanaians in Cote d’Ivoire during an engagement, Speaker Bagbin emphasized that the bill would soon be resubmitted for presidential assent after undergoing review by the new Attorney General.
“I am going to write and send it [LGBTQ+ Bill] to the new Attorney General for his comments so we can resend it to the new President for his assent. It is not going to take a long time; it will be passed this year. It is anti-God,” he stated firmly.
The bill, formally titled the “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill,” has been at the center of national and international debate since its introduction.
It seeks to criminalize the promotion and practice of LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana, drawing both staunch support from conservative groups and criticism from human rights advocates.
Speaker Bagbin’s comments suggest an accelerated timeline for the legislative process under Ghana’s new administration.
His declaration also highlights his firm stance on the issue, aligning with sentiments from a significant portion of the Ghanaian populace who oppose LGBTQ+ practices on cultural and religious grounds.
The Speaker’s use of the term “anti-God” to describe the bill underscores the moral and spiritual framing of the legislation, which has resonated with many in Ghana’s predominantly religious society. However, it also raises concerns about the potential marginalization of minority groups.
The LGBTQ+ Bill has been a divisive issue, attracting attention from international human rights organizations and foreign governments, some of whom have raised concerns about its implications for Ghana’s democratic values and commitments to global human rights standards.
Speaker Bagbin’s assurance sets the stage for another round of intense public and parliamentary debate as Ghana moves closer to determining the future of the bill in 2025.
