Proponents of anti-gay bill plan Oct. 8 walk to demand Supreme Court action
Frustration with the delay in determining the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the Anti-Gay Bill, has prompted its sponsors to organise a peaceful walk to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
The sponsors, led by vocal advocate and MP, Sam Nartey George, plan to submit a petition to both the Attorney General and Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, urging the Court to set a hearing date for the final ruling on the bill.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which was passed by Parliament on February 28, 2024, seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana.
However, the bill has since faced delays in judicial proceedings, especially after a Supreme Court ruling on July 17, 2024, decided to postpone judgments on anti-gay cases until related legal issues are resolved.
This delay has sparked concern among the bill's supporters, who are now calling for expedited action.
The peaceful protest will begin at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra and will include participation from various religious groups and stakeholders, such as the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council and the Office of the National Chief Imam.
Organizers initially planned the protest two months ago but postponed it after the Court's ruling, hoping for progress in the legal proceedings.
In an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Channel One TV, Samuel Nartey George expressed his frustration with the ongoing delays, calling for immediate action from the judiciary.
He criticised the Supreme Court for stalling the bill's progress and failing to provide a clear timetable for hearing the case.
“Basically what the Supreme Court has done is stage judgments. The judiciary today is stopping the legislature from doing a constitutional mandate,” Sam George said.
“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.”
He further pointed out that the Supreme Court has, in the past, heard cases during vacation periods, emphasising the inconsistency of delaying such a critical national issue.
Sam George argued that it is in the country's best interest to resolve the matter swiftly, given the intense national debate around LGBTQ+ rights.
“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,” he added.
The peaceful march, scheduled for October 8, 2024, aims to pressure the Court into setting a hearing date and moving the process forward.
Organizers have urged participants to avoid wearing political party colours, stating that the march is not politically motivated but rather a call for action on a critical national issue.
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