Parliament has adjourned sine die, ending the second meeting of the second session of the Ninth Parliament without revisiting the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2026, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill.
The adjournment comes despite an earlier assurance by Speaker Alban Bagbin that the House was expected to rescind its previous decision on the bill to allow a review of three key clauses intended to strengthen the sentencing regime before it was passed again.
A motion seeking to rescind the earlier decision had been scheduled on the Order Paper for Friday, July 31, 2026. However, Parliament did not adopt the motion before adjourning.
Although the anti-LGBTQ bill was not reconsidered, lawmakers approved several significant pieces of legislation during the meeting.
Among them 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 taxes on locally produced fruit juices to reduce consumer prices, promote healthier consumption and boost local agro-processing industries.
In addition, the House approved the Customs Bill, 2026, creating a modern legal framework for customs administration to harmonise existing customs laws, facilitate international trade, enhance border security and improve domestic revenue mobilisation.
The House further passed the Tribunals Bill, which provides for the establishment of Regional and District Tribunals to help reduce the backlog of court cases.
Other legislation approved included the National Defence University Ghana Bill and the Community Service Bill, which introduces community service as an alternative to custodial sentences for individuals convicted of specified categories of offences.
Parliament adjourned after completing debate on the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review presented by the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, bringing its business for the meeting to a close ahead of the parliamentary recess.
