Ayariga expresses shock over how Afenyo-Markin was able to get Supreme Court to act swiftly

Mahama Ayariga, Lawyer and Politician has criticized the Supreme Court for acting so swiftly on a petition by Effutu MP, Afenyo- Markin on matters beyond its jurisdiction while calls to act on the anti LGBTQ+ bill has not been heeded.

Speaking to Alfred Ocansey on the Key Points on October 19, Mr Ayariga said he is disappointed that the apex court would make such a decision calling it “absurd.”

“Afenyo-Markin to be able to move the Supreme Court to act with such dispatch, when all the chief Imams, pastors, leaders and religious groups have been begging the Supreme Court to take a decision in relation to the LGBTQ question, and the Supreme Court has refused to take a decision and yet Afenyo-Markin alone was able to get this court. And that is why people must rethink their decision in the December 7 elections and what they are going to do.”

“How does the Supreme Court turn itself into a political organization to supervise the exercise of political actions or political actors in the legislature and they said it clearly. They said it. Read the ruling. They said that the MPs at the Minority side are planning to reconstitute committee. Is that your business?” he questioned.

Touching on the aspect of the ruling that said the MPs were not heard, The Bawku Central MP asked “heard by who? Parliament? The MPs are members of Parliament and are obliged to sit when the matter was debated.”

Mr Ayariga served notice that Tuesday (October 22) in Parliament is going to be an interesting day.

Parliament unanimously passed the bill that would intensify a crackdown on LGBTQ rights in Ghana in February. However, President Nana Akufo-Addo has delayed signing it with his office citing pending challenges at the Supreme Court.