President John Mahama has indicated that the recently passed Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill still faces significant legal and procedural hurdles before it can become law, stressing that “there’s still quite a while to go.”

Speaking at Chatham House in London on the first day of Pride Month, the President explained that the bill, passed by Parliament on May 29, 2026, must undergo extensive constitutional and legal scrutiny before reaching his desk for assent.

According to Mr Mahama, the legislation originated as a private member’s bill rather than a government-sponsored measure, meaning the Presidency was not involved in its drafting or parliamentary deliberations.

“Once the president gets it, you go through it because you’re not part of the discussion in Parliament,” he said. “The legal counsel in the Presidency and the Attorney General would sit on it and make sure everything is in order before the president is advised to assent.”

The President also highlighted concerns over the bill’s passage, including allegations of inadequate quorum and procedural irregularities.

His comments come after Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, described the bill’s passage as unexpected, saying he had anticipated it would only be laid for consideration. The Speaker has since convened an emergency meeting of parliamentary leadership to establish exactly what transpired.

“I just got some communication that the Speaker was reading a statement to address the issue of the lapses in the passage of the bill,” Mahama noted.

He further revealed that should substantial concerns emerge, he could refer the legislation to the Council of State or return it to Parliament with recommendations for reconsideration.

“If there are issues, substantial issues that are raised, the president would return the bill to Parliament indicating exactly what the issues are,” he stated.

The President’s remarks come amid growing controversy over the bill, which seeks to criminalise same-sex relationships and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.

The debate has intensified following claims by private legal practitioner Oliver Barker-Vormawor that the legislation was passed with only 34 MPs present—below the constitutional quorum threshold. He has urged the President to withhold assent.

However, supporters of the bill, including Bernard Bediako, have rejected those concerns, arguing that parliamentary proceedings are presumed valid unless a quorum is formally challenged.

Meanwhile, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has warned that persons engaged in LGBTQ+ activities could face prosecution once the bill receives presidential approval.

Despite Parliament’s passage of the bill, President Mahama’s latest comments suggest the legislation remains far from becoming law.