Parliament adjourns without revisiting anti-LGBTQ bill, passes 12 key bills
Parliament last Friday 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, commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ bill.
The adjournment came despite an assurance by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, to the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, that the House would revisit and pass the Bill before ending the session. Although a motion to rescind an earlier decision on the Bill appeared on the Order Paper, it was not adopted before Parliament adjourned.
Despite the Bill not being reconsidered, Parliament approved several major pieces of legislation during the meeting.
On the final sitting, lawmakers ratified six mining lease agreements between the government and six mining companies, a move expected to boost socio-economic development in the affected communities while increasing state revenue. The Minority Caucus, however, opposed the ratification.
Among the major laws passed was the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026, which guarantees cocoa farmers at least 70 per cent of the Free on Board (FOB) export price through the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).
Parliament also passed the Excise Bill, 2026, removing excise duties on locally produced fruit juices to reduce consumer prices, encourage healthier consumption, and support Ghana’s agro-processing industry.
The Customs Bill, 2026, was also approved, providing a modern legal framework for customs administration aimed at facilitating international trade, strengthening border security, and improving domestic revenue mobilisation.
In addition, lawmakers passed the Tribunals Bill, 2026, paving the way for the establishment of Regional and District Tribunals to help reduce the backlog of court cases.
Other notable 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 offenders convicted of specified categories of crimes.
Parliament concluded its work after debating the Mid-Year Review of the 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy presented by the Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, before proceeding on recess.
Between May and July 2026, Parliament passed 12 bills, including the Human Sexual Rights and Family Bill, 2025; the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Bill, 2025; the Maritime and Related Offences Bill; the National Defence University Ghana Bill, 2026; the Tribunals Bill, 2026; the Customs Bill, 2026; the Excise Bill, 2026; the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026; the Ghana Cocoa Board Bill, 2026; the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill, 2026; and the Community Service Bill, 2026.
