The Osu Traditional Council has urged President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo to quickly approve the anti-LGBTQ bill to prevent divine retribution on Ghana.
This follows the bill’s proponents announcing plans to protest against the Chief Justice on August 21, 2024, due to accusations of delaying the bill’s transmission to the President for his assent.
Acting President of the Osu Traditional Council, Nuumo Gbelenfo III, issued a warning against further delays during a courtesy call by the bill’s proponents.
“If it were the norm that marriage was set between people of the same sex, we would have seen our president marry a man. But that is not the case. So I am appealing to the president to ensure that the right thing is done by signing the bill into law in order for Ghana not to incur the wrath of God.
“It is a filthy practice, so we are urging the president and the Chief Justice to do the needful to avert the anger of God.”
The Supreme Court of Ghana has postponed its ruling on the injunction applications filed by Broadcast Journalist Richard Dela Sky and Researcher Dr. Amanda Odoi regarding the transmission of the controversial anti-LGBTQ bill to President Nana Akufo-Addo.
The court announced that it will deliver its ruling on the injunction applications concurrently with the final judgment.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, presiding over a five-member panel, emphasized that an expedited trial would better serve the interests of justice in this matter.
The decision comes amidst heightened public interest and legal scrutiny surrounding the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill recently passed by Parliament.
During separate hearings, the Supreme Court addressed the concerns raised by Richard Dela Sky and Dr. Amanda Odoi. Mr. Sky challenges the constitutionality of the bill, arguing that it violates multiple provisions of the 1992 constitution and encroaches upon fundamental human rights.
Dr. Odoi, on the other hand, expressed specific reservations about certain provisions within the bill and sought an injunction to halt its transmission to the President for approval. Her legal counsel, Dr. Ernest Ackon, contended that the bill’s passage lacked a fiscal impact analysis, potentially infringing Article 108 of the constitution.
In response, the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, defended Parliament’s actions, asserting that the Speaker’s discretion in transmitting bills to the President is constitutionally bound and does not require additional fiscal scrutiny beyond what is explicitly stated in the bill.
Thaddeus Sory, representing the Speaker of Parliament, argued against the injunctions, emphasizing that the legislative process remains ongoing until the bill receives presidential assent, thus placing it outside the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction to intervene prematurely.
Parliament on Wednesday, February 28, passed the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill also known as the anti-LGBTQ bill after three years following its introduction.