Ghana's Parliament to reconsider Anti-LGBTQ Bill after Speaker's directive
via GhanaWeb2 min read
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Bagbin, on February 10, 2026, directed Parliament’s Business Committee to schedule the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, also known as the Anti-LGBTQ Bill, for consideration. This directive follows the Speaker's determination that the bill meets all constitutional and procedural requirements for reintroduction. The bill was initially introduced in August 2021 and passed by the Eighth Parliament on February 28, 2024, but did not receive presidential assent before the Parliament's dissolution. After the Ninth Parliament's inauguration, the Speaker referred the bill to the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice for review. Nine Members of Parliament, including Sam Nartey George and Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah, subsequently indicated their intention to reintroduce the legislation. The Committee on Private Members’ Bills and Private Members’ Motions concluded that the bill does not violate constitutional provisions. The Business Committee, chaired by Cassiel Ato Forson, MP for Ajumako Enyan Esiam, with Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle, as Vice Chairman, is now responsible for scheduling the bill. Other members include Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, Kwame Governs Agbodza, and Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin. The reintroduction of the bill is expected to reignite national debate.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
Dr. Teddy Totimeh, a consultant neurosurgeon, stated that approximately 2,000 people die from asthma each year in Ghana. He highlighted asthma as a growing public health concern, noting persistent gaps in awareness, diagnosis, and access to treatment. Dr. Totimeh explained that asthma is a chronic condition affecting the airways, making it difficult for air to pass through effectively. He described it as approaching "pandemic" levels globally, affecting both children and adults in Ghana. The rise in cases is attributed to genetic factors and environmental exposure, including air pollution, dust, and allergens, with dust mites being a major trigger in Ghana. Dr. Totimeh mentioned that asthma severity varies, and many cases go undiagnosed due to symptoms being mistaken for minor illnesses. He identified early warning signs such as persistent wheezing, night-time coughing, seasonal breathing difficulties, and chest tightness. He clarified that asthma symptoms often worsen at night or in the early morning due to prolonged exposure to irritants, and seasonal changes can also exacerbate them. Dr. Totimeh dismissed misconceptions about asthma inhalers, emphasizing their effectiveness in delivering medication directly to the lungs. However, he expressed concern about limited access to inhalers in Ghana and other low- and middle-income countries, estimating that fewer than 10% of patients needing them receive them. He stressed that asthma is manageable with proper diagnosis and treatm
The Ghanaian government has transferred GH¢6.1 million to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as Mahama Cares. This action follows directives from President John Dramani Mahama regarding salary contributions from political appointees. The President had pledged six months of his salary to the Fund and encouraged government appointees to contribute one month of their salaries. Additionally, appointees who missed the asset declaration deadline were directed to forfeit three months of their salaries to the Fund. Government Communications Minister Felix Kwakye Ofosu confirmed on Facebook that the Controller and Accountant-General's Department has processed the deductions and transfers. Arrangements are also in progress for a final transfer covering contributions from those who defaulted on asset declaration. The Ghana Medical Trust Fund was established to support healthcare delivery and provide financial aid for critical illness treatments, especially for vulnerable groups facing non-communicable diseases.
John Darko, Member of Parliament for Suame and legal counsel for the Minority Caucus, has challenged the legality and effectiveness of the Operation Recover All Loots ORAL initiative. Darko stated that ORAL's formation was flawed from the outset due to a lack of legal backing and its establishment being unconstitutional. He argued that a president-elect, according to the Constitution, lacks the authority to establish a committee to investigate individuals. Darko also questioned the initiative's effectiveness, noting that it generated significant publicity but failed to yield substantial results, citing a previous claim of recovering $21 billion which has not materialized. The ORAL initiative was established by the National Democratic Congress NDC administration before taking office to gather complaints and information on alleged corruption, state capture, and misappropriation of public resources.
Must ReadThe inaugural Governance Trust Barometer report by Africa Policy Lens, unveiled in Accra on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, indicates a high perception of corruption among citizens. This widespread perception is identified as the most significant factor undermining Ghana's democratic legitimacy, despite citizens acknowledging the existence of laws and institutions. The report highlights a clear perception that accountability is not consistently enforced. Furthermore, it notes citizen dissatisfaction with government communication, citing concerns about its clarity, transparency, and responsiveness. The Government Communication index scored 44.2 out of 100, suggesting that while the system allows for participation, it does not consistently translate into influence.