The sponsors of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, also known as the anti-LGBTQ bill, have announced plans to stage a demonstration against the Chief Justice on August 21, 2024.
They say this is due to what they perceive as a deliberate delay in transmitting the bill to the President.
This decision comes after the Supreme Court deferred the ruling on the injunction applications by Dr. Amanda Odoi and broadcast journalist Richard Sky regarding transmitting the anti-LGBTQ bill to the President, choosing to deliver the ruling on the same day as the final judgment.
Samuel Nartey George, the lead sponsor of the anti-LGBTQ bill, declared the plan during a courtesy call on the National Chief Imam and the Acting President of the Osu Traditional Council, accompanied by some minority members.
The Ningo-Prampram MP firmly assured a peaceful protest to ensure the bill’s prompt transfer to the President for his assent.
“We want to do a peaceful march on the 21st of August to the Chief Justice because right now it is not the President holding it. It is the Chief Justice. She is the one preventing Parliament from sending it to the President,” he stated.
“The people of Ghana just want her to do what we pay her salary for. Hear the case and give a judgment. If you don’t give a judgment, we are all hanging in the air.”
After nearly three years of deliberation, Parliament finally passed the Anti-LGBTQ+ bill which prohibits LGBTQ activities and their promotion, advocacy, and funding.
The bill, introduced in the House years ago, was approved unanimously on Wednesday, February 28, following the completion of the third reading.
But the lawsuits have since restricted Parliament from submitting the Bill to the Presidency for President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo’s assent.