The Judicial Service of Ghana has attributed delays in the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill (Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill) hearing to the parties’ failure to meet court directives.
In a release issued on September 13, 2024, the Judicial Service revealed that as of August 31, 2024, parties involved in the case have not filed their memorandum of issues for trial, despite the plaintiff and the 1st defendant (Speaker of Parliament) having submitted their statements of case.
It stated that the Attorney-General (2nd defence) had not filed its statement of case, which has impeded the court’s progress.
“The parties have not completed the work they are to do before a hearing of the Supreme Court can be conducted,” he said.
This update comes in response to recent media reports about a planned protest against the Chief Justice on September 17, 2024. The protest, organised by sponsors of the bill, is being termed the ‘Family Values March.’
The protest targets the Chief Justice, whose decision to delay a ruling on an interlocutory injunction has drawn criticism from Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Dzata George.
The MP alleges that the Chief Justice’s actions are a deliberate attempt to stall the bill’s passage and is calling for a clear timetable for the case’s hearing.
The Judicial Service provided an update on the two constitutional cases related to the bill currently before the Supreme Court:
Richard Sky vs. Parliament of Ghana and Attorney General and
Dr. Amanda Odoi vs. Speaker of Parliament and Attorney General.
Both cases involve applications for interlocutory injunctions to prevent Parliament from sending the bill to the President for assent.
On July 17, 2024 the Supreme Court opted to defer its ruling on these injunctions, choosing instead to address the full merits of the cases through an early trial.
The Court believes that a comprehensive trial will more effectively resolve the constitutional issues than addressing the interlocutory matters at this stage.
The Judicial Service reassured the public that all court registries are operational throughout legal vacations and the judiciary is prepared to hear cases as soon as they are ready.
