‘Absolutely’ – Agalga confirms LGBTQ bill will reach Mahama this month

Ghanaian Majority Leader James Agalga has confirmed that the LGBTQ bill will reach President John Dramani Mahama this month, following corrections in its penalty provisions by Parliament. Addressing Joy News’ PM Express, Agalga declared, "Absolutely," when asked if the bill would be presented to the President this month. He emphasized the urgency, stating, "Yes, yes, yes."

This confirmation comes after a contentious journey that includes fierce political debates, legal disputes, and criticism from human rights groups. Initially passed in February 2024, the bill faced international condemnation and was eventually withdrawn due to Mahama's withholding of assent, pending legal challenges. The bill lapsed until it was revived in May 2026.

However, concerns over the punishment provisions led to another review. The legislative session recessed in July without finalizing the process. Agalga attributed the latest delay to errors in Parliament, specifically in calculating penalty units. He explained that these errors made the penalties inconsistent with existing laws, potentially causing complications during court enforcement. He noted that rectifying these issues would not significantly alter the bill's content.

The rectification process involves Parliament rescinding its decision at the third-reading stage, enabling a second review to address the defective provisions. Amid growing expectations to finalize the bill, Speaker Alban Bagbin warned of publicly naming anyone who hinders the process. Agalga dismissed suggestions that Mahama had altered his stance, asserting that enacting laws is Parliament's responsibility.

He stressed the need for lawmakers to first resolve the identified anomalies before submitting the bill to the President for assent.