Ayariga Insists Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill Was Lawfully Passed; Says Bagbin Cannot Reverse Parliament’s Decision

Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has firmly maintained that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 was properly passed by Parliament in full compliance with its Standing Orders, insisting that Speaker Alban Bagbin has no authority to overturn the decision of the House.

His comments follow the Speaker’s call for Parliament to revisit the controversial bill after raising concerns about the legislative process that led to its passage on Friday, May 29. The Speaker had suggested that he expected further consideration of the bill, expressing surprise that all stages appeared to have been concluded.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Tuesday, June 2, Ayariga argued that the Speaker’s remarks amount only to an appeal for reconsideration and do not invalidate or reverse 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,” he stated.

He further explained that concerns regarding the 24-hour requirement between legislative stages were addressed through a formal procedural motion for abridgement of time, which he said is a recognised parliamentary mechanism used to fast-track urgent business.

“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 said.

Ayariga also dismissed suggestions that the bill could have been withdrawn by one of its sponsors, citing Assin South MP Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, arguing that the legislation had multiple sponsors and could not be halted by a single sponsor’s withdrawal.

“The Honourable Ntim Fordjour could not have withdrawn the bill. He was not the only sponsor. There were several other sponsors, so whatever he threatened to do or not do had no effect whatsoever on the bill and its consideration by the House,” he added.

The debate comes amid concerns raised by Bosome Freho MP Nana Asafo-Adjei Ayeh, who alleged that no Minority sponsors were present when Parliament completed the final stages of the legislative process.