Anti-Gay Bill supporters take to streets on October 8 over Supreme Court delay
LGBTQ+ rights
Accra, Ghana - Sponsors of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, dubbed the Anti-Gay Bill, are planning a peaceful walk to the Supreme Court on October 8, 2024.
The protest aims to pressure the court to expedite its ruling on the bill, which has been pending since its passage by Parliament on February 28.
Organizers, comprising religious groups and stakeholders, will gather at Kwame Nkrumah Circle before submitting a petition to the Attorney General and Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.
In an interview on Channel One TV, Lead advocate Sam George criticized the Supreme Court's delay, emphasizing the national importance of the issue.
“Basically what the Supreme Court has done is stage judgements. The judiciary today is stopping the legislature from doing a constitutional mandate. Based on Article 106/7 of the Constitution, The Chief Justice and the Supreme Court have basically restrained Parliament from doing so without uttering those words.
“Now you say you want to hear the main case, they haven’t said anything to us, they haven’t given us a timetable. Are you hearing it now, one month or two years, nobody knows what’s going on. She has not even called the main case. We need a timetable to know what she’s going to call the case.”
“The Supreme Court has been hearing cases during vacation. During vacation, the court of the land has been sitting, and it’s about placing a premium on it. Earlier two months ago, a decision was taken by the sponsors and some other partners, the Chief Imam’s office, Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic church that we were going to march to the Chief Justce’s office, give a petition to her, demanding from her to give us a timetable.
“This is a major national issue, we need to have a final determination on the matter, and they should act expeditiously. It’s not a matter the Supreme Court can choose and be lackadaisical or drag its feet. we want to see some action.
“It’s coming off this Tuesday, October 8, we will start from Kwame Nkrumah Circle, a peaceful march, nobody is supposed to come with party colours. We will march to the Supreme Court to demand a ruling on the case,'' he added.
The march comes after the Supreme Court's July 17 ruling to postpone judgments on anti-gay cases until all related legal matters are resolved.
The bill seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities, sparking intense debate over LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana.
Source: Lead News Online
