Parliament has rescinded its earlier decision to pass the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.
The move paves the way for the legislation to be reconsidered and errors in its provisions corrected.
The decision was announced by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, following a vote by MPs to overturn the House’s earlier resolution on the bill, which was passed on May 29, 2026.
Speaker Bagbin said a review by Parliament’s Legislation Drafting Department had uncovered inconsistencies between decisions taken by lawmakers during deliberations and the provisions captured in the final version of the bill.
He explained that although the drafting department had identified the errors, it lacked the authority to correct them independently because doing so would amount to changing decisions already approved by Parliament.
Speaker Bagbin told the House, “After the third reading, there is a department here we refer to as the Legislation Drafting Department. They are the drafters who draft all that we do here, the decisions we take”.
According to the Speaker, the identified inconsistencies could only be addressed by Parliament itself, necessitating a return of the bill to the House for further action.
“The draft people could put them right. But once there are decisions, they cannot tamper with the decision of the House. It has to be brought back for the House to do the proper thing,” he stated.
Bagbin subsequently put the motion to a vote, asking members who supported the rescission to indicate their position.
“Those in favour, say aye. Those against, say no,” he said.
“Honourable members, the ayes have it. The House has accordingly rescinded its earlier decision, which was taken on Friday, May 29, 2026, in respect of the third reading of the Human, Sexual Rights, and Family Values Bill 2025,” he announced.
The development effectively reopens the legislative process, allowing MPs to revisit the bill and address the identified inconsistencies before any further action is taken.
The reconsideration is also expected to provide lawmakers with an opportunity to review specific provisions, including the proposed sentencing terms and other sections requiring clarification.
Meanwhile, Speaker Bagbin has vowed to publicly expose any member of Parliament who attempts to obstruct the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.
According to Bagbin, he remains committed to ensuring that Parliament revisits the legislation and completes the processes required for its passage.
Speaking in Parliament at the resumption of sitting on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Bagbin stated, “I remain committed within the applicable rules and procedures of the House to ensure that the House proceeds with the motion to rescind its earlier decision at the third reading of the bill and to have a second consideration stage of the bill with a view to concluding its processing and securing its passage during this meeting”.
“I will assure you that I will mention names, names of any person who tries to obstruct the legitimate processes to see this bill through. That I leave to your conscience”, he said.
Also, James Agalga, the Majority Leader, has said the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, will reach President John Dramani Mahama this month.
The Majority leader on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, November 4, 2028, when asked whether the bill would go before the President this month, emphatically responded, “Absolutely”.
When asked whether that would happen before Parliament rises, James Agalga added: “Yes, yes, yes.”
The Minority leader’s assurance sets a new deadline for legislation that has sparked fierce political exchanges, legal challenges, and criticism.
He disclosed that the latest delay stemmed from errors Parliament itself needed to correct in the revised version passed in May 2026.
“For instance, how to compute penalty units was completely done in error, in some cases,” he said.
The Majority leader argued that penalties did not properly align with existing legislation.
“Otherwise, the bill as it stands in this current form would have serious challenges when it comes to implementation,” he warned.
“So, not much of substance would change,” Mr Agalga said.
James Agalga stated, “It’s Parliament’s work. We have the duty of enacting laws”.
“We think that we are the proper forum to correct those anomalies to pave the way for the bill to be transmitted to the president.”
