Also known as: Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin · Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin · Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin · Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin · Ghana Parliament Speaker Alban Bagbin · Mr Alban Bagbin · former Nadowli-Kaleo MP
Speaker of Parliament elected by MPs, emphasizes legislative independence from executive and parliamentary powers over bills before presidential assent.
If you listen carefully to the wording of The Speaker, Alban Bagbin’s statement, he said he is “appealing” to the MPs to revisit the process, to reconsider the bill at the consideration stage and 3rd reading. …
Speaker Bagbin orders reconsideration of Anti-LGBTQ Bill
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·Joy Online
… It follows President John Mahama’s recent remarks during an interview at Chatham House in London, and Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s comments suggesting that both sides of Parliament may have to review the legislation before it proceeds. …
… The issue has also returned to the spotlight after Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin suggested that both sides of the House review the bill before it is transmitted for presidential assent. …
… The debate has also been reignited by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s suggestion that both sides of the House may need to review the legislation before it proceeds further through the legislative process. …
The Founding Executive Director of the Parliamentary Network Africa, Sammy Obeng, has said Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s directive for the House to revisit the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, should trigge …
… Mr Ayariga’s comments come amid ongoing debate over Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s directive for the House to revisit the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill following concerns about whether all parliamentary procedures were adequately complied with be …
The Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr Rasheed Draman, has described Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s decision to direct a reconsideration of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill, as …
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has directed the House to revisit the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill. …
… Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has convened discussions with parliamentary leadership in a bid to build consensus around the legislation as it moves through the next constitutional stages.
An opinion piece argues that Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin is behaving "like a Tarzan," defying laws by making personal insults against judges under the guise of criticism, drawing a parallel to Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby's unlicensed 1994 radio station. The writer distinguishes between lawful criticism and unlawful personal insults, contending that Afenyo-Markin's allegations that judges serve "the interests of their paymasters" constitute insults that require proof.
An opinion piece argues that Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin is behaving "like a Tarzan," defying laws by making personal insults against judges under the guise of criticism, drawing a parallel to Dr Charles Wereko-Brobby's unlicensed 1994 radio station. The writer distinguishes between lawful criticism and unlawful personal insults, contending that Afenyo-Markin's allegations that judges serve "the interests of their paymasters" constitute insults that require proof.
Aisha Hospital in Tamale has achieved its first successful IVF delivery and commissioned a new dialysis unit, marking what the hospital describes as a milestone in expanding access to specialist fertility and renal care in Northern Ghana.
Bono East Region held its inaugural National Public Speaking Competition, with Kintampo SHS and Gyarko Community Day SHS selected as the region's representatives for the national finals. The competition, held under the auspices of the Speaker of Parliament and in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service, brought together 12 senior high schools and aims to develop confident speakers and nurture leaders among students.
Speaker Alban Bagbin has recalled Parliament from recess for a five-day sitting beginning Monday, August 24, to consider urgent government business including the vetting of newly appointed ministers, changes in Majority caucus leadership, and reconsideration of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. The Minority caucus has questioned the need for the recall, arguing the matters are neither urgent nor significant enough to warrant reconvening during recess.
Habib Iddrisu, MP for Tolon, has criticised Speaker Alban Bagbin's decision to recall Parliament from recess for an extraordinary sitting from August 24 to 28, 2026, arguing the move is unnecessary and wasteful. Iddrisu contends that the main business — approving two ministerial nominees for Local Government and Environment, Science and Technology — is not sufficiently urgent to justify the additional cost, as both ministries have operated without substantive ministers for nearly a year and the approvals could have waited for Parliament's scheduled resumption.
Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has suggested that former Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga's position on the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill may have influenced his removal, noting that Ayariga's stance—that Parliament has passed the Bill and it should proceed to the President—conflicts with positions expressed by the Speaker of Parliament and President Mahama. Kpebu stressed his view was analytical and not a confirmed reason from the government or NDC.
The Upper West Region commissioned a new dialysis unit on August 4, ending years in which kidney failure patients had to travel 700km to Accra or Kumasi for treatment. The Medical Director noted that before 2022, patients unable to afford the trip were often left untreated, and warned that power fluctuations now threaten the unit's reliability.
President John Dramani Mahama has described the late Ambassador James Victor Gbeho, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, as a rare nation builder whose distinguished public service strengthened Ghana's standing internationally, saying his legacy of integrity, patriotism and dedicated service would continue to inspire generations of diplomats and public servants.
Akosua Manu has petitioned Speaker Alban Bagbin to take disciplinary action against Ahafo Ano South East MP Mohammed Yakubu over remarks he made to a nine-year-old girl during a Parliament visit. According to a video circulating on social media, the MP told the child he would marry her; Manu argues the comments were inappropriate regardless of whether intended as a joke, and breached parliamentary Standing Orders and child protection principles.
Ghana Police has deployed 400 personnel in Yendi to provide security for the enskinment of the Kpampayaa Naa on July 31, with officers stationed at palace entry points, along dignitaries' routes, and on major roads to maintain peace and deter crime during the ceremony.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin cautioned Ghanaian parents against sending their children abroad at a young age for education, arguing the practice weakens family bonds, diminishes patriotism, and erodes children's connection to their country. He contended that children raised abroad from infancy may become detached from families and homeland, missing out on Ghanaian family values and communal traditions.
Speaker Bagbin has directed MPs and Parliamentary staff to comply with a Cabinet directive requiring written authorization from the Interior Minister before using sirens or police escort services. The Ghana Police Service has been mandated to remove unauthorised sirens and discontinue unauthorised police escort services, with legal action where necessary.
The Ambassador to the SheaPark Resource Hub Project joined traditional leaders in Buipe to observe Shea Day, calling for urgent action to protect Ghana's shea trees through collective efforts by government, traditional authorities, development partners and communities. The Forestry Commission reported that West Africa loses an estimated eight million shea trees annually due to population growth, agricultural expansion, bushfires, unsustainable removal and climate change.
The General Legal Council has approved UBIDS School of Law as one of 19 schools to run the one-year pre-bar course, enabling LLB graduates from UBIDS and other accredited law schools to prepare for admission into Professional Law Courses and the national bar examinations.
Parliament will reinstate Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin as a member of Ghana's eight-member delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, replacing Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei who opted out. His earlier presence at the delegation's inauguration in Abuja reportedly caused ECOWAS Parliament to refuse to swear in the entire delegation, prompting the Majority Leader to refer him to the Privileges Committee for investigation.
Lawmakers from more than a dozen African countries pledged to push new bills restricting LGBT rights after an African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty in Accra on June 3–6, a week after Ghana's parliament passed one of the continent's toughest anti-LGBT measures criminalising LGBT promotion.
The King of Akyem Kotoku paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of Parliament to deepen cooperation between traditional authorities and the Legislature on governance, development, and community advancement. Speaker Bagbin commended traditional rulers as indispensable partners in Ghana's democratic development and assured Parliament's readiness to work closely with traditional institutions.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has emphasised that he is not appointed by the President but elected by Members of Parliament, and therefore his primary loyalty is to the legislature and the nation rather than the Executive. He noted that although a President may express a preference during the Speaker's election, such views are not binding on Parliament, citing his own 2021 election as an example.
Parliament Speaker Alban Bagbin has rejected the claim that Parliament becomes functus officio after passing legislation, asserting that the House has constitutional and procedural powers to revisit bills before they are presented to the President for assent, and that Parliament has established post-passage procedures to correct errors and reconsider decisions.
Speaker Alban Bagbin has raised concern that an increasing number of cases are being pushed to Ghana's Supreme Court, weakening its authority as the final judicial body and treating it like an ordinary court. He called for reflection and consultation on the issue, particularly within the ongoing constitutional review process.
President Mahama faces a constitutional choice to assent to or return the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 to Parliament. Legal experts note that Article 106 of the Constitution may provide grounds for the President to return the bill based on alleged procedural irregularities, though these claims remain contested.
Parliament is expected to transmit the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 to President Mahama for assent this month. The President may invoke Articles 106 and 108 of the 1992 Constitution to return the bill to Parliament, citing unresolved procedural questions and concerns about whether constitutional and parliamentary procedures were properly followed during its consideration.
Speaker Bagbin distributed 16,584 sets of uniforms to 7,884 boys and 8,700 girls across 151 basic schools in Nadowli-Kaleo, while backing DCE Mary Haruna and urging the community to end petty political differences and focus on development.
The Ghana Grid Company's eight-member board held discussions with Parliament's Speaker, Alban Bagbin, to strengthen stakeholder engagement on the nation's energy infrastructure agenda and introduce the new Board Chair. GRIDCo's Chief Executive outlined restoration works following a recent fire incident at Akosombo and plans for a new control room, while noting operational challenges from illegal chainsaw and mining activities affecting transmission infrastructure.
Ghana Grid Company's eight-member board held discussions with Parliament's Speaker Alban Bagbin to brief him on company developments and formally introduce Board Chair Kuukua Maurice Ankrah. The CEO outlined restoration efforts following a fire incident at Akosombo and plans for a permanent control room, while highlighting operational challenges from illegal chainsaw and mining activities affecting transmission infrastructure.
Parliament passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 on May 29 and is expected to transmit it to President Mahama this month for assent. The President's strongest constitutional grounds for returning the bill, if he chooses, may rest on procedural concerns under Articles 106 and 108 of the Constitution, though Speaker Alban Bagbin and President Mahama have raised allegations of procedural irregularities that the Majority Chief Whip contests.
Ghana Grid Company's board held discussions with Parliament's Speaker to strengthen engagement on the country's energy infrastructure agenda, briefing him on company developments and introducing the new Board Chair. The CEO outlined ongoing restoration work following a fire at Akosombo and plans for a new control room, while noting operational challenges from illegal chainsaw and mining activities.
Parliament's Speaker claimed the House did not suspend Order 172(1) of the Standing Orders before passing the anti-LGBTQI+ bill on Friday, 29 May 2026, but the record of proceedings shows the Majority Chief Whip moved a motion to suspend that very order before proceeding with third reading.
Senyo Hosi, convener of the One Ghana Movement, has called for lawmakers and the public to consider the human and family implications of LGBTQ+ legislation, warning that policy decisions should reflect real-life social realities. He raised concerns about how families might be affected if legislation creates obligations that could place individuals in difficult emotional or legal positions, using parenting scenarios to illustrate the emotional complexity of the issue.
Kofi Bentil, Vice President of IMANI Africa, has cautioned that Ghana's amended anti-LGBTQ+ legislation could be exploited as a tool for oppression despite recent revisions, and that the law may not effectively prevent conduct it targets but could expose individuals to rights violations and selective enforcement.