Today, Tuesday, October 8, advocates of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, also known as the anti-gay bill, are protesting to voice their dissatisfaction with the delays in the bill’s ultimate approval.
After the bill was passed by Parliament on February 28, 2024, but has since stalled, the demonstrators are demanding that the president grant his consent.
The purpose of the demonstration is to raise awareness of the lengthy delay for the bill’s implementation. A July 17, 2024, Supreme Court decision that postponed rulings in cases contesting the bill until all related legal issues were resolved is one of the main reasons for the delay.
Bill proponents are growing more and more concerned about this delay.
Samuel Nartey George, the Ningo-Prampram Member of Parliament and a well-known supporter of the legislation, is spearheading the push for the bill’s passage. In an interview with Citi FM, Mr. George criticised the postponement and stressed that, as seen by its legislative approval, the law reflects the desire of the Ghanaian people.
According to him, the legislative process is being undermined by more delays.
The lawmaker further emphasised that, should it be judged essential, the Chief Justice of Ghana possesses the jurisdiction to accelerate the case.
He called for the judiciary to prioritise the matter to allow the bill to be signed into law, citing the importance of resolving the issue promptly to uphold the nation’s values and principles.
“The Chief Justice has the power to demand of all the parties in the case, that they file within the times stipulated in the Rules of Procedure, that you file a statement of claim within 14 days. All of this is clear and the Chief Justice is the one who has powers to ensure that.”
“If everybody is going to take one year to file their documents, the Chief Justice thinks that that is a proper delivery of justice, where parties in the case will determine as and when and how they would be doing their filing.”
“Justice delayed is justice denied and the expeditious delivery of justice is critical to an effective justice delivery system and so the Chief Justice has to be up and doing,” he stated.
Proponents of the bill argue that it is necessary to protect Ghanaian cultural values and curb the growing influence of LGBTQ+ activities in the country.
The protesters are hopeful that their actions will spur the government and judiciary to act swiftly in moving the bill forward for final approval.
Source: Myjoyonline.com