Parliament’s work on anti-LGBTQ+ bill done, ball now in President’s court — Kwesimintsim MP

Member of Parliament for the Kwesimintsim Constituency in the Western Region of Ghana, Hon Lawyer Philip Fiifi Buckman says Parliament has completed its constitutional duty by passing the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, and the next step is for the President to assent.

Speaking on _Frontline_ on Rainbow Radio, the Legal Affairs Committee member stressed that the bill only becomes law once the President signs it. “Parliament has done its part by passing the bill. It is now left with the President to do his part by assenting to it. When the President is done, it becomes law which ought to be abided by everyone,” he said.

Buckman outlined the options if the President has concerns before assent. Under the 1992 Constitution, the President can seek advice from the Council of State and send the bill back to Parliament for reconsideration. The President may also return it with a memo detailing proposed changes.

He noted that if Parliament later passes the bill again with a two-thirds majority, the President must assent and cannot refuse.

On claims by the Minority caucus and others questioning whether there was a quorum when the bill was passed, Buckman said he was surprised. He pointed out that the Minority was present and took part in the entire process from start to finish.