Anti-LGBTQI Bill: Signing is automatic if Supreme Court declares it constitutional – Bawumia
26th August 2024
Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has said that the anti-LGBTQI bill will be signed if the Supreme Court declares it constitutional.
During a media engagement in Accra on Sunday, August 25, Dr Bawumia stated, “I think that is very, very important. The Bill is before the Supreme Court right now and I think there are certain challenges that have been made to it that is to say that it’s not consistent with the constitution.”
“Of course, we’ll wait for it to come and once it’s out of the Supreme Court and they declare it as constitutional, I believe signing is automatic, there shouldn’t be any issue. No ifs and no buts, we won’t allow.”
The bill, currently awaiting a ruling from the Court.
The Supreme Court deferred its ruling on the request to restrain Parliament from transmitting the anti-LGBT bill filed by Dr. Amanda Odoi, until the substantive case is heard and determined.
The 5-member panel, chaired by Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo made the pronouncement on the application for an interlocutory injunction against the transmission of the anti-gay bill to the presidency by Parliament on Wednesday, July 17. The Case was been adjourned indefinitely.
The same conclusion was given to the application filed by broadcast journalist Richard Sky against the anti-lgbtqi bill, as well.
Background
There are currently two lawsuits before the Supreme Court challenging the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed by Parliament.
Richard Dela Sky is challenging the constitutionality of Parliament’s passage of the “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.”
He argues that the bill violates several provisions of the 1992 Constitution, including Article 33(5) and Articles 12(1) and (2), 15(1), 17(1) and (2), 18(2), and 21(1)(a)(b)(d) and (e).
Sky is seeking eight reliefs, including an order declaring that the Speaker of Parliament contravened Article 108(a)(ii) of the Constitution by allowing Parliament to pass the bill, which imposes a charge on the Consolidated Fund or other public funds of Ghana.
Dr. Amanda Odoi has raised concerns about specific provisions within the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.
She is seeking a restraining order to prevent the Speaker, the Attorney-General, and the Clerk of Parliament from sending the bill to President Akufo-Addo for approval.