Sponsors of the Anti-LGBTQ bill in Ghana have announced plans to demonstrate against the Chief Justice on August 21, 2024, due to perceived delays in transmitting the bill to the President. The Supreme Court has deferred its ruling on an injunction application related to the bill’s transmission and will deliver its ruling on the same day as the final judgment. Lead sponsor Samuel Nartey George and minority members have met with the National Chief Imam and the Acting President of the Osu Traditional Council ahead of the demonstration.
The injunction application was filed by Dr. Amanda Odoi and journalist Richard Sky, seeking to restrain the Speaker and Clerk to Parliament from transmitting the bill to the President. The applicants argue that the bill violates provisions of the 1992 Constitution and seek a declaration that the bill is null and void. The Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has stated that the bill should not have been entertained in Parliament due to violations of Article 108 of the 1992 constitution.
Lawyers for the applicants argue that irreparable harm will be inflicted if the injunction is not granted, while lawyers for the Speaker and Clerk to Parliament argue that no violation will occur if the request is refused. The Supreme Court will deliver its ruling on the injunction application and the substantive application together in an expedited trial.
The demonstration planned by the sponsors of the Anti-LGBTQ bill adds pressure on the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court to deliver a ruling on the injunction application and the substantive application. The outcome of the ruling will determine the fate of the Anti-LGBTQ bill and its transmission to the President for assent.
