The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has authorised the reintroduction of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, for consideration by the House. He explained that the decision followed unanimous advice from the Committees on the Private Members’ Bill and Private Members’ Motion, which recommended its return. Mr. Bagbin noted that the bill has already undergone all the necessary procedures for enactment in accordance with Parliament’s Standing Orders, and accordingly directed the Business Committee to schedule it for presentation to the House.
No financial imposition
In opening remarks to the House, the Speaker clarified that the bill contains no provisions imposing taxation, charges on the Consolidated Fund, or withdrawals from public funds. “I have reviewed the committee’s report and concluded that the bill does not impose or alter taxation or place a charge on the Consolidated Fund in the manner outlined under Article 108 of the Constitution,” he stated.
Mr. Bagbin further explained that Order 187(2) of the Standing Orders requires the Speaker, upon the introduction of a private member’s bill, to inform the House whether the proposal complies with Article 108 of the Constitution.
He recalled that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 was initially introduced as the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021 in August 2021 and went through all enactment processes before being passed by the Eighth Parliament on February 28, 2024. However, he said the bill was not assented to by the President and therefore lapsed upon the dissolution of the Eighth Parliament.
Following the inauguration of the Ninth Parliament, Mr Bagbin said that by correspondence dated January 8, 2025, he referred the bill to the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice for review and comments. He said the Attorney-General’s office submitted its comments by a letter dated April 7, last year, which were subsequently referred to the sponsors of the bill for consideration.
By correspondence dated February 5, 2025, the Speaker said the sponsors of the bill, comprising both old and new members, expressed their intention to reintroduce it. He named the sponsors as Samuel Nartey George, Emmanuel Kwesi Bedzrah, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, Helen Ntoso, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, Alhassan Tampouli Suleimana, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, Mahama Tia Abdul Kabiru and Anthony Mmieh.
Legal opinion
As required under Standing Order 182, Mr Bagbin said a legal opinion dated March 7, last year, was submitted to him on the proposed bill. “I directed the draft person to process the request in accordance with the rules for introduction in the House,” he said. Additionally, he said that in compliance with Section 101 (1) of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), a fiscal impact analysis report on the proposed bill was duly submitted.
He said he subsequently directed that the drafting be redone and the bill transmitted pursuant to Order 186. “Then, I directed the committee on private members’ bill and private members’ motion to consider again and advise on whether the bill complies with the relevant constitutional provisions,” he said.
According to the Speaker, the committee found that the reintroduced bill preserves its core principles and objectives and does not violate any constitutional provisions, particularly Articles 106 and 108. It further noted that the bill contains no clauses imposing taxation, charges on the Consolidated Fund, or withdrawals from public funds.
“By unanimous decision, the committee advised that the bill be introduced in the House. Having reviewed its report, I am satisfied that the bill does not impose or alter taxation or place a charge on the Consolidated Fund in the manner outlined under Article 108 of the Constitution,” Mr. Bagbin stated.
Source: Nana Konadu Agyeman