Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference calls for urgency as Parliament reconsiders anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has called on Parliament and relevant constitutional institutions to act with urgency and ensure strict adherence to constitutional and legislative requirements in any further consideration of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025.

The legislation, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, returned to the centre of parliamentary attention after the House rescinded its earlier passage on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

In a communiqué issued at the end of their annual Plenary Assembly, the Bishops described the parliamentary decision as an opportunity to address concerns surrounding the legislation while carefully examining its moral, social, cultural and human rights implications.

“We note Parliament’s decision to rescind its earlier passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. We encourage Parliament and the relevant constitutional institutions to approach any further consideration of the matter with the requisite speed, constitutional fidelity, legislative diligence and due regard for its moral, social, cultural and human rights implications,” they stated.

The decision to rescind the earlier passage followed a review by Parliament’s Legislation Drafting Department, which identified inconsistencies between the decisions taken by Members of Parliament during deliberations and provisions contained in the final version of the bill.

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin announced the decision after the House voted to reverse its earlier resolution on the legislation, adopted on May 29, 2026.

The Bishops also used the communiqué to reaffirm the Catholic Church’s position on human life, marriage, family and sexuality.

“We reiterate the Church’s commitment to the sanctity of human life, the dignity of every person, the authentic understanding of marriage, family and human sexuality,” they added.

The annual Plenary Assembly was held from November 3 to 14, 2026, at the Divine Providence Pastoral Centre in Jamasi, within the Konongo-Mampong Diocese of the Ashanti Region.

It was held under the theme, “Communion, Participation and Mission: Preparing the Catholic Church in Ghana for Her 150th Anniversary in 2030.”