By Elsie Appiah-Osei
Accra, Aug 1, GNA—Parliament on Friday, July 31, 2026, adjourned sine die, bringing the Second Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament to a close without reconsidering the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2026 (anti-LGBTQ bill).
Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, had on Thursday, July 30, assured Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Imam, that Parliament would revisit and pass the Bill before adjournment.
The assurance was given during a courtesy call on the Chief Imam.
During their interaction, Mr Bagbin explained that the Bill in its current form required further review, with particular focus on three key clauses relating to sentencing provisions.
He said, “Our intention is to do it before we go on recess. We are likely to do so even by tomorrow so that it assures you that the members you elected to Parliament are doing what you have asked them to do.”
According to the Speaker, the reconsideration was necessary to address concerns over the punishment regime outlined in the legislation before it was brought back to the House for final consideration.
Although a motion to rescind the earlier decision was listed on the Order Paper for Friday, July 31, 2026, the House was unable to adopt it before adjournment sine die.
Despite the setback on the anti-LGBTQ Bill, Parliament passed several major Bills of legislation during the Meeting.
These included the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, which guarantees cocoa farmers not less than 70 per cent of the Free on Board (FOB) export price through the Ghana Cocoa Board (COBOD).
The lawmakers also passed the Excise Bill, 2026, abolishing excise taxes on locally manufactured fruit juices to lower consumer prices, encourage healthier consumption, and support local agro-processing industries.
The House further approved the Customs Bill, 2026, establishing a modern legal framework for customs administration to consolidate existing customs laws, facilitate international trade, strengthen border security, and improve domestic revenue mobilisation.
Parliament also passed the Tribunals Bill, 2026, which provides for the establishment of Regional and District Tribunals to help reduce the backlog of cases in the courts.
Other key legislation approved included the National Defence University Ghana Bill, 2026, and the Community Service Bill, 2026, which introduces community service as an alternative to custodial sentences for persons convicted of specified categories of offences.
The House adjourned after concluding debate on the Mid-Year Review of the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy presented by Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the Minister of Finance, marking the end of its business for the Meeting before the parliamentary recess.
The 12 Bills passed at the Second Meeting, from May to July 2026, included: Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025—passed on 29/05/2026; Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Bill, 2025—passed on 25/06/2026; Community Service Bill, 2026 – passed on 08/07/2026; Maritime and Related Offences Bill, 2026 – passed on 30/06/2026; National Defence University, Ghana Bill, 2026 – passed on 17/07/2026 and the Tribunals Bill, 2026 – passed on 30/07/2026.
The rest were the Customs Bill, 2026 – passed on 30/07/2026; Excise Bill, 2026 – passed on 30/07/2026; Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026—passed on 29/07/2026; Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026—passed on 29/07/2026; Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026 – passed on 30/07/2026 and the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill, 2026—passed on 31/07/2026
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Elsie Appiah-Osei
Email: [email protected]