Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has disclosed that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill—widely referred to as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill—is progressing through parliamentary processes and is currently before the Constitutional and Legal Committee for consideration.
According to him, the committee will meet on Thursday, April 23, to deliberate on the bill.
His comments come amid renewed public debate over the bill, with some clergy groups reportedly planning demonstrations over delays in its passage and presidential assent.
Speaking during the Government Accountability Series on Monday, April 20, 2026, Mr Ibrahim gave a detailed account of the legislative process leading to the bill’s approval in Parliament, stressing that it was a private members’ initiative rather than an executive bill.
“When it was time for the LGBTQ+ Bill to be passed, we were made up of four NDC MPs and four NPP MPs. But when we got to the venue, three of the NPP MPs ran away, leaving only one. So, we had to bring in an additional three NDC MPs to join us before the bill was passed,” he said.
He argued that attempts to politicise the bill would not succeed, insisting that the process had already moved beyond partisan control.
“So, if a political party is saying that today they will take a political opportunity, that opportunity is gone,” he said.
Mr Ibrahim also cautioned against dragging the President into the controversy surrounding the bill, adding that the executive played no role in its introduction.
“Let nobody bring the President in. It was we who introduced the bill. I can give you the long history of it. I am soldiering the bill closely. I went to the President on the matter, and I went to the Speaker on it, and I know where we are with the bill.
“Pastors also come to me on the matter, and with that, I also know where we are. When you are in the field, you act, and not talk,” he said.
He disclosed that the Constitutional and Legal Committee is scheduled to meet on April 23 to continue work on the legislation.
“When it comes to where we are, the Constitutional and Legal Committee is meeting on it on April 23. I know every stage and every process. It was not an executive bill; it is a private members’ bill. Therefore, the President was right. If you listen to his speech carefully, you will appreciate him for that,” he added.
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