The controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, known as the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, is set to undergo its first reading.

This was revealed by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin.

While delivering opening remarks to mark the official commencement of Parliament’s second meeting, he noted that the bill, including three others, has completed all the required processes.

“Three private members bills—the Property Rights of Spouses Bill 2025, the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana Amendment Bill 2025, and the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2025—have completed the processes as required by the standing orders and are expected to be presented for a first reading during the course of this meeting,” he stated.

When passed, the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill will criminalise LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana, as well as individuals and organizations promoting such activities.

The bill was once presented in Parliament under the era of former President Akufo-Addo’s administration. However, it didn't receive ex-president Akufo-Addo's assent.

Earlier this year, the bill was reintroduced in Parliament after President John Dramani Mahama declared that the bill was no longer active, as it expired with the previous Parliament's session.

“As far as I know, the bill did not get to the President for assent. And so the convention is that all bills that are not assented to before the expiration of the life of Parliament expired, and so that Bill is effectively dead, it has expired,” President Mahama noted.

In an interview with The Independent Ghana on Thursday, February 27, Assin South MP, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, urged President John Dramani Mahama to sign the bill into law if Parliament approves it again.

He emphasized that the legislation reflects Ghanaian cultural values and called for swift action to ensure its implementation.

Meanwhile, human rights advocates have emphasized that enacting the bill into law will infringe on freedoms of expression, association, and equality.

Whereas proponents have argued that the bill is necessary to safeguard Ghanaian cultural and moral values from external influences,

The bill previously faced legal opposition from journalist Richard Dela Sky and academic Dr. Amanda Odoi, who contested its passage, citing a lack of parliamentary quorum.

The Supreme Court, however, dismissed their challenge, with Justice Lovelace Johnson clarifying that a bill can only be subject to constitutional scrutiny after receiving presidential assent.