Parliament has adjourned sine die without reconsidering the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2026, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ Bill, despite an earlier assurance by Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin that the controversial legislation would be revisited before the House rose.
The Second Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament ended last Friday, bringing the House’s legislative business to a close ahead of the parliamentary recess.
Speaker Bagbin had assured the National Chief Imam, Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, on Thursday that Parliament would reconsider and pass the anti-LGBTQ Billl before adjourning.
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However, although a motion seeking to rescind Parliament’s earlier decision was listed on the Order Paper for Friday, the House could not adopt the motion before it adjourned sine die.
The development means the anti-LGBTQ Bill remains unresolved, despite renewed expectations that Parliament would revisit the legislation before the close of the meeting.
Despite the setback over the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, Parliament passed several significant pieces of legislation during the Second Meeting, which ran from May to July 2026.
On the final sitting day, the House ratified six mining lease agreements between the government and six mining companies.
The agreements are expected to generate socio-economic benefits for communities in the affected mining areas while increasing revenue for the state.
The ratification, however, faced strong opposition from the Minority Caucus, which raised concerns about the agreements.
Among the major laws passed during the meeting was the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, which seeks to strengthen the legal framework governing the cocoa sector.
The legislation guarantees cocoa farmers not less than 70 per cent of the Free on Board (FOB) export price through the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
The measure is expected to provide greater income protection for cocoa farmers and strengthen the government’s support for the country’s cocoa industry.
Parliament also passed the Excise Bill, 2026, which abolishes excise taxes on locally manufactured fruit juices.
The policy is intended to reduce consumer prices, encourage healthier consumption choices and support local agro-processing industries.
The House further approved the Customs Bill, 2026, establishing a modern legal framework for customs administration.
The new legislation is expected to consolidate existing customs laws, facilitate international trade, strengthen border security and improve domestic revenue mobilisation.
Another major piece of legislation passed by Parliament was the Tribunals Bill, 2026.
The Bill provides for the establishment of Regional and District Tribunals as part of efforts to address the backlog of cases and improve access to justice.
The Community Service Bill, 2026, was also approved. The legislation introduces community service as an alternative to custodial sentences for persons convicted of specified categories of offences.
Other key legislation passed included the National Defence University Ghana Bill, 2026, aimed at providing a legal framework for the establishment of the institution.
Parliament passed a total of 12 Bills during the Second Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament, covering areas including investment, justice, maritime security, taxation, customs, cocoa and energy.
The Bills passed during the period include:
- Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 — passed on May 29, 2026
- Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Bill, 2025 — passed on June 25, 2026
- Maritime and Related Offences Bill, 2026 — passed on June 30, 2026
- Community Service Bill, 2026 — passed on July 8, 2026
- National Defence University Ghana Bill, 2026 — passed on July 17, 2026
- Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026 — passed on July 29, 2026
- Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026 — passed on July 29, 2026
- Tribunals Bill, 2026 — passed on July 30, 2026
- Customs Bill, 2026 — passed on July 30, 2026
- Excise Bill, 2026 — passed on July 30, 2026
- Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026 — passed on July 30, 2026
- Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill, 2026 — passed on July 31, 2026
Parliament concluded its business after completing debate on the Mid-Year Review of the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, presented by the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
The House has now adjourned for the parliamentary recess, with the fate of the anti-LGBTQ Bill expected to remain a major issue when Parliament resumes.
GNA