Speaker Bagbin surprised by swift passage of anti-LGBTQ+ bill in Parliament
via GhanaWeb3 min read
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, expressed surprise at the rapid passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, also known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, on Friday, May 29, 2026. Speaking in Accra on Monday, June 1, 2026, Bagbin stated he had not anticipated the bill's quick approval, expecting it to remain at the consideration stage. He mentioned that he had left instructions for the consideration process before attending to other activities and was surprised to learn of its passage. Bagbin detailed extensive consultations undertaken for the bill, involving international human rights instruments, development partners, and Ghanaian cultural values. He announced plans to meet with House leadership to address disagreements and ensure national consensus for effective implementation. This marks the second time Parliament has passed the bill; the first passage in 2024 was not assented to by then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The reintroduced bill included amendments that the Minority Caucus opposed, arguing they implied flaws in the original version. These amendments exempt individuals providing legal advice or representation, journalists reporting on LGBTQ+ issues, and medical professionals offering services to LGBTQ+ persons from punishment under the law.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by GhanaWeb.
The Minority caucus in Parliament walked out during the passage of the Tribunals Bill on Thursday, July 16, 2026, citing five key concerns. The bill aims to strengthen access to justice and improve its administration. The Minority, led by Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, argued that the bill creates an unconstitutional parallel justice system not recognized by the 1992 Constitution. They also objected to Clause 4, which proposes a three-member panel with one lawyer and two non-lawyers to preside over criminal matters, stating such a body should not handle criminal cases. Furthermore, the Minority contended that the system could lead to individuals being pronounced guilty before trial, and that it could be used to target individuals, referencing Ghana's experience during the PNDC era where tribunals were allegedly used to seize assets. Finally, they argued the bill undermines fair criminal trials, citing Attorney General Dr Dominic Ayine's past legal arguments on the necessity of evidence-based convictions.
The Minority in Parliament staged a walkout during the consideration of the Tribunals Bill, 2026, on July 16, 2026. The Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, stated that the Caucus left because the Majority refused to engage in meaningful dialogue and intended to use its numerical advantage to pass the bill despite objections from organised labor, legal stakeholders, and recommendations from the Constitutional Review Committee. Afenyo-Markin argued that the proposed tribunal system could undermine due process and fair trial guarantees, drawing parallels to Ghana's experience under the Provisional National Defence Council PNDC era, where he claimed tribunals targeted individuals and enriched members. He also questioned the Majority's quorum, alleging that they lacked the necessary numbers even after a suspension to marshal members. Despite the Minority's walkout, Parliament proceeded with the bill, which aims to establish a new legal framework for tribunals under Article 126 of the 1992 Constitution. The government maintains the legislation will modernize the tribunal system and improve access to justice, though some legal and governance advocates urge caution to protect fair hearing and judicial independence.
President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government has begun the process of granting financial clearance to the Ministry of Education to recruit at least 16,000 newly trained teachers. Speaking at the Peki College of Education in the Volta Region, President Mahama stated that this initiative is part of efforts to address the backlog of graduate teachers awaiting employment. He emphasized that it is unacceptable for newly trained professionals to face indefinite delays for postings after completing their studies. The President assured that the financial clearance would streamline the transition of graduates into classrooms and reiterated the government's commitment to improving the human resource capacity of Ghana鈥檚 educational institutions. He explained that expanding the teaching workforce would provide livelihoods for the youth, ease pressure on existing staff, and enhance the quality of basic and second-cycle education nationwide.