A sharp disagreement has emerged at the highest levels of Parliament over the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, with Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, questioning the process that led to its passage while Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga insists the bill was lawfully approved and cannot be reversed.

The contrasting positions have created uncertainty over the next steps for the controversial legislation, popularly known as the anti-gay bill, despite Parliament having passed it on Friday, May 29, 2026.

Addressing the House on Tuesday, Speaker Bagbin raised concerns about what he described as possible procedural irregularities during the bill's final approval stages. He cited potential non-compliance with Standing Orders 170, 171 and 172 and urged both sides of Parliament to revisit the legislation.

According to the Speaker, Parliament must not sacrifice procedure, regardless of the popularity or significance of a bill.

Bagbin indicated that he had expected Parliament to begin consideration of the bill and was surprised to discover that all stages of the legislative process had already been completed. He stressed that legislation of national importance must be passed in strict conformity with parliamentary rules to protect the integrity of the House.

However, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga strongly rejected suggestions that the bill was improperly passed, arguing that Parliament complied fully with its Standing Orders.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Ayariga maintained that the Speaker's intervention amounted only to an appeal and could not overturn a decision already taken by Parliament.

"The Speaker is only appealing. He cannot in any way reverse what has happened. What has happened has happened. We have passed many bills the same way, and indeed there was no rule that was breached at all," Ayariga said.

The Majority Leader explained that concerns about the mandatory waiting period between stages of the bill were addressed through a procedural motion to abridge time, which was approved by the First Deputy Speaker.

"If you check the Votes and Proceedings, you will see clearly that the procedural motion was moved and allowed by the First Deputy Speaker. We abridged time and that enabled us to take the bill through the third consideration stage. So there was absolutely no breach of procedure," he stated.

Ayariga also dismissed claims that one of the bill's sponsors, Assin South MP Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, could have withdrawn the legislation, noting that the bill had multiple sponsors whose collective backing ensured its continued consideration.

The public disagreement between the Speaker and the Majority Leader has effectively placed Parliament at the centre of a debate not only about the substance of the bill but also about the procedures governing lawmaking in Ghana.

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill seeks to prohibit LGBTQ+ activities and advocacy in Ghana and has remained one of the country's most contentious legislative proposals.

A previous version of the bill passed by the Eighth Parliament failed to receive presidential assent before the end of that parliamentary term, causing it to lapse. The bill was subsequently reintroduced in the Ninth Parliament, where it has again attracted significant public interest and bipartisan political support.

Its passage on May 29, 2026, was widely welcomed by supporters who view it as a defence of Ghanaian cultural and family values. However, concerns raised by Speaker Bagbin over the procedure used in approving the legislation have now opened a fresh chapter in the debate, setting up a rare institutional disagreement between the Speaker of Parliament and the Majority Leader over whether the House acted in full compliance with its own rules.