Anti-LGBT bill Was Passed Without My Consent, It is under Further Scrutiny by President Mahama – Alban Bagbin

President John Dramani Mahama has confirmed that the recently passed Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill will undergo rigorous legal and constitutional scrutiny before he considers granting his assent.

While the bill was passed by Parliament on May 29, 2026, the President emphasized that significant procedural hurdles and legal reviews remain before it can officially become law.

The President explained that because the legislation originated as a private member’s motion rather than a government-sponsored bill, it requires an intensive vetting process. This ensures that the executive branch fully understands the implications of the text before any final decision is made.

Once the President receives the bill, it must undergo a comprehensive evaluation by his legal counsel and the Attorney-General. These experts will sit down to ensure that every aspect of the legislation aligns with the country’s constitutional framework.

This multi-step review process serves several key functions:

• It allows the Presidency to conduct an independent legal assessment since the executive was not part of the initial parliamentary discussions.
• The President retains the authority to refer the bill to the Council of State if substantial concerns emerge during the review.
• If the review highlights significant legal issues, the President can return the bill to Parliament with specific instructions on what needs to be addressed.

Why has the passage of the bill sparked controversy?

The bill’s recent passage has become a subject of intense debate due to alleged procedural lapses during the parliamentary session. Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, expressed surprise at the sudden passage on Friday, as he previously understood the bill was only scheduled for consideration.

Several specific concerns have been raised regarding the validity of the vote:

• Speaker Bagbin has called for a crunch meeting with parliamentary leadership to clarify the events that transpired on the day of the vote.
• Legal practitioner Oliver Barker-Vormawor has publicly claimed that only 34 members were present during the vote, which falls below the constitutional quorum requirement.
• Conversely, some supporters of the bill, such as Akwatia MP Bernard Bediako, argue that parliamentary procedure presumes a quorum exists unless a formal challenge is raised at the time.
• The Speaker has already begun reading statements to address these reported lapses in the passage of the bill.

The bill proposes to criminalize same-sex relationships as well as the advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. While the legislative process remains ongoing, some leaders are already signaling that strict enforcement will follow if the bill becomes law.

Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has issued a warning to those engaged in these practices to adjust their behavior immediately. He maintains that once the President grants his assent, those affected will face the full force of the law.

Given the combination of constitutional scrutiny, potential Council of State involvement, and internal parliamentary reviews, President Mahama believes that there is still a significant amount of time required before the legislation can be finalized. The government remains focused on ensuring that the final output satisfies all legal standards.

Also Read: Parliament Passes Anti-LGBTQ, Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill

Source: ghananewspage.com