AG requests live coverage of anti-LGBTQ proceedings in court
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, is requesting media access and coverage of proceedings relating to the anti-LGBTQ bill currently before the court.
A letter from the office of the Attorney General and addressed to the Chief Justice, the Attorney General the request is based on the significant public interest in the subject.
“Respectfully, in view of the public interest in the cases concerning the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2024 (the Bill) I would like to recommend that the media (including radio and television) be given full access to the relevant courts to undertake a coverage of all proceedings in those cases concerning the Bill.
“The cases under reference are as follows: Supreme Court 1. Dr. Amanda Odoi v The Speaker of Parliament and Another (Suit No. J1/13/2023), and 2. Richard Dela Sky v The Parliament of Ghana and Another (Suit No. J1/9/2024).
Richard Dela Sky, a journalist is in court regarding the passage of the Anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
The controversial bill which was unanimously passed by legislators on February 28, 2024, proposes a three-to-five-year jail term for individuals who promote or sponsor LGBTQ activities, while those caught in the act are to be sentenced to a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 3 years.
The journalist filed a suit against the attorney general and minister of justice seeking among other relives, an order restraining President Akufo-Addo from assenting to the bill and also preventing the “Speaker of Parliament and the Clerk to Parliament from presenting ‘The Human and Sexual Values Bill, 2024’ to the President of the Republic for his assent.”
According to the plaintiff, portions of the bill go contrary to the tenets of the 1992 Constitution for which reason it should be deemed null and void.
A researcher, Dr Amanda Odoi has also filed a lawsuit at the Supreme Court, seeking sanctions against the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, for allowing the House to proceed with the anti-LGBTQ+ bill despite pending legal actions.
In her suit, Dr Odoi argues that the Speaker has shown contempt and disregard for court processes.
The court documents state that Alban Bagbin has continually violated and shown utter disregard for the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the court process.
