President John Dramani Mahama has stated that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, widely referred to as the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, is still far from becoming law despite its recent passage by Parliament.
Speaking during a question-and-answer session at Chatham House in the United Kingdom on Monday, June 1, President Mahama explained that several legal and procedural concerns surrounding the legislation must be resolved before it can be considered for presidential assent.
He noted that the bill has generated considerable public debate due to its connection to family values and broader social issues in Ghana.
“The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill has probably attracted more public interest than any other piece of legislation in recent times. It highlights the significance many Ghanaians place on family values,” the president said.
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Mahama indicated that concerns have been raised regarding the process through which the bill was approved in Parliament.
Among the issues cited are questions about whether the House had the required quorum at the time of passage and allegations of procedural irregularities during the legislative process.
According to him, these matters must be thoroughly examined before the bill can proceed further.
The president revealed that he had been informed that the speaker of Parliament was already addressing concerns surrounding the circumstances under which the legislation was passed.
He stressed that once the bill is officially forwarded to the presidency, it will undergo a comprehensive legal review.
The Attorney General and legal advisers at the presidency, he explained, will assess the legislation to ensure that all constitutional and procedural requirements have been met.
Mahama noted that such scrutiny is particularly important because the bill originated as a private member’s bill rather than government-sponsored legislation.
He further outlined the constitutional options available to the president should concerns arise during the review process.
These include seeking guidance from the Council of State or returning the bill to Parliament with specific observations for reconsideration.
“If any significant issues are identified, the President can refer the bill to the Council of State for advice. Where necessary, it can also be sent back to Parliament with clear indications of the concerns that need to be addressed,” he explained.
The President emphasized that the legislative journey of the bill is not yet complete and that several steps remain before it can attain the force of law.
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“There is still a considerable process to go through before the bill becomes law,” he added.
His remarks come shortly after Parliament passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, following amendments to the proposed legislation.
Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has convened a meeting with parliamentary leaders regarding the bill, stressing the need to build broad consensus around the legislation to enhance public acceptance.
The speaker also expressed concern over the circumstances under which the bill was passed, following objections from some lawmakers who questioned whether the proper parliamentary procedures were followed during its approval.