An application for an injunction to prevent parliament from discussing the anti-LGBTQ+ law was unanimously dismissed by the Supreme Court of Ghana.
A nine-member panel led by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo determined that there was no prima facie basis for the court to enjoin the parliamentary proceedings.
On July 5, 2023, the Motion of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Committee on Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill was endorsed by Parliament after the bill’s second reading.
After the second reading of the bill, the parliamentarians were given the chance to debate the motion.
However, in the opinion of one Dr. Amanda Odoi, the second reading of the bill in parliament indicates Speaker Alban Bagbin’s disregard of the court process.
“That the respondent’s clear, intentional, and continuous disregard of the court process necessitates the Respondent being sanctioned for contempt in the public interest and to protect the dignity of the court,’’ the legal writ noted.
On Wednesday, July 19, 2023, the court unanimously dismissed the application against the speaker on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence to support an injunction against the parliamentary proceedings.
“That the respondent’s clear, intentional, and continuous disregard of the court process necessitates the Respondent being sanctioned for contempt in the public interest and to protect the dignity of the court,’’ the legal writ noted.
On July 19, 2023, the court dismissed the application by Dr. Amanda Odoi in a unanimous decision because there wasn’t enough evidence to warrant a restraining order against parliamentary business.
Source: 1Familyradio
