Anti-gay Bill: Supreme Court orders A-G to file statement in 7 days
The Supreme Court has given the Attorney-General (A-G) seven days to file its statement of case in the matter involving journalist and private legal practitioner Richard Dela Sky against the Speaker of Parliament.
This case challenges the constitutionality of the Ghanaian Family Values Bill, which aims to promote traditional family values but has sparked significant controversy, particularly concerning individual rights for marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ+ community.
Hearing of the case has been characterized by delays since July, with proponents of the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill blaming the judiciary.
Moving a motion for an extension of the time, the state attorney requested that the court compel the Speaker’s legal team to submit a report on a Financial Impact Analysis related to the Family Values Bill, emphasizing its importance in influencing the case’s outcome.
Plaintiff Richard Dela Sky is challenging the bill’s constitutionality.
He asserts that the proposed legislation violates fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Ghanaian Constitution, such as equality before the law and freedom from discrimination.
Dela Sky argues that the bill could lead to increased discrimination against vulnerable populations and undermine the dignity of individuals.
Additionally, Dela Sky is seeking an order from the Supreme Court to restrain the President from assenting to the “The Human and Sexual Values Bill, 2024,” arguing that an approval would contravene constitutional protections of liberties and rights for Ghanaians.
It will be recalled that Parliament in early February 2024, approved the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.
With the approval, persons who promote, sponsor and support LGBTQ+ activities could face a custodial sentence of five to 10 years.
Those caught engaging in LGBTQ+ activities are to face a minimum sentence of three years and a maximum of five years.
If found guilty of discrimination, hate or abuse of a person engaging in LGBTQ+, the culprit also faces between six months and three years in jail.
The passage of the Bill has triggered reactions from some of Ghana’s development partners, international financial institutions, and CSOs in the country.
Below is the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill: