The Supreme Court has begun hearing two lawsuits filed by broadcast journalist Richard Dela Sky and Researcher Dr. Amanda Odoi, challenging the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, also known as anti-LGBTQ+ Bill by Parliament.
These lawsuits have effectively halted the bill’s transmission from Parliament to the Presidency, where President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo would potentially assent to it.
The proceedings are being broadcast after the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, requested the Chief Justice to allow live coverage of proceedings while highlighting the considerable public interest in the anti-gay bill as the rationale for the request.
The bill, which prohibits LGBTQ activities and their promotion, advocacy, and funding, was passed by Parliament on Wednesday, February 28, 2024.
However, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has yet to assent to the bill, awaiting the Supreme Court’s ruling.