Remove Bagbin over anti-LGBTQ+ bill controversy – Solomon Owusu

Director of Communications for the United Party, Solomon Owusu, has called for the removal of the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, over the controversy surrounding the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQI+ bill.

Speaking on Joy News and monitored by GhanaWeb on June 4, 2026, he argued that the Speaker has failed in his duty and should be removed under Article 95(d) of the Constitution.

Ghana's Parliament passes anti-LGBTQ bill again

“The Speaker of Parliament has done a great deal of disservice to the people of this country and he must be called out. I have said that he must be removed under Article 95(d) because he has disgraced his supporters, and all those who took part in the passing of that bill,” he said.

Solomon Owusu also criticised the Speaker’s approach to the matter, saying his position on the bill has been inconsistent.

“He blows hot and cold,” he added.

He further questioned the role of the Speaker in the passage of the bill, insisting that Parliament has the authority to pass laws regardless of who presides over proceedings.

“First of all, the Speaker of Parliament was not voted for by anybody. We gave our power to the Members of Parliament and the Members of Parliament have done a great job,” he stated.

He added that the absence of the Speaker in the chair during proceedings does not invalidate parliamentary decisions.

“There was a Speaker sitting. Don't let us create the impression that because Bagbin was not the one in the chair, there wasn't any Speaker. He also had the same power as Speaker Bagbin,” he noted.

Owusu further cited previous legislative processes to support his argument, pointing to instances where bills were passed without the participation of the Minority.

“We have passed a number of bills where the minority did not take part. Did it not stand as a bill and was not assented to? The E-Levy bill, was it unanimous?” he asked.

His comments follow Speaker Bagbin’s recent remarks expressing surprise at the rapid passage of the bill in Parliament.

Speaking at a media engagement in Accra on Monday, June 1, 2026, Speaker Bagbin said he did not expect the bill to be passed so quickly as it was still at the consideration stage.

“In fact, when it was passed on Friday, it was even a surprise to me, because I knew that they were going to start the consideration of the bill,” he said.

He explained that he had expected more time for deliberations due to other parliamentary activities.

“It was Friday, and members wanted to go home early to their constituencies… and so I knew they wouldn't have completed it. But all of a sudden, I read about this passage,” he added.

I was surprised when the anti-gay bill was passed on Friday - Speaker Bagbin

The Speaker added that he had invited parliamentary leaders for further consultations following the passage of the bill, stressing the need for consensus on its implementation.

“Leaders of both sides of the House will be with me this evening for us to discuss what's next after the passage of the bill,” he said.

MAG/VPO

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