The Osu Traditional Council has called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo to expedite the approval of the anti-LGBTQ bill, warning of divine retribution if it is delayed.
The Council’s appeal comes as proponents of the bill plan to protest against the Chief Justice on August 21, 2024, accusing her of delaying the bill’s transmission to the President. Acting President of the Osu Traditional Council, Nuumo Gbelenfo III, urged swift action during a meeting with 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,” he stated.
Meanwhile, 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 anti-LGBTQ bill to President Akufo-Addo. The court will deliver its ruling on the injunctions concurrently with the final judgment.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, leading a five-member panel, stressed the importance of an expedited trial for justice. The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, recently passed by Parliament, has garnered significant public and legal scrutiny.
During the hearings, Richard Dela Sky argued that the bill violates the 1992 constitution and fundamental human rights. Dr. Amanda Odoi raised specific concerns about the bill’s provisions and sought an injunction to prevent its transmission to the President, citing a lack of fiscal impact analysis required by Article 108 of the constitution.
Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame defended Parliament’s actions, stating that the Speaker’s discretion in transmitting bills to the President is constitutionally bound. Thaddeus Sory, representing the Speaker of Parliament, argued against the injunctions, emphasizing the ongoing legislative process until presidential assent is received, making premature intervention by the Supreme Court inappropriate.
Parliament passed the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, also known as the anti-LGBTQ bill, on February 28, after three years of deliberation.
Source: GhanaFeed.Com