Ningo-Prampram Member of Parliament, Sam George, has expressed growing frustration and concern over the delay in the Supreme Court’s handling of legal challenges against the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.
The bill, which seeks to criminalize and regulate LGBTQ+ activities and advocacy in Ghana, has sparked significant public debate and opposition.
As the lead advocate for the bill, Sam George believes that the ongoing delay in the court’s decision-making process is detrimental to the proper functioning of both the legislative and executive branches of government.
He stressed that the uncertainty created by the delay is affecting lawmakers and government officials alike.
Speaking on the matter, Sam George emphasized the urgency with which these cases need to be addressed, citing their potential far-reaching implications. “There is no matter before the Supreme Court that is more important than a determination on this matter, which stays the hands of both the legislature and the executive,” he said.
George referenced a previous quorum judgment, supported by Justice Yoni Kulendi, which dealt extensively with similar matters raised by Amanda Odoi and Richard Dela Sky.
He argued that this judgment underscores the need for the Chief Justice to empanel the Supreme Court and determine the matter promptly.
“We believe that, in light of the judgment of the Supreme Court in that case, the Chief Justice must empanel the Supreme Court and determine the matter in tandem with what her colleagues in that panel have done,” George stated.
The Ningo-Prampram MP’s call to action emphasizes the critical nature of resolving these legal challenges.
He urged the Chief Justice to prioritize the cases, ensuring that the Supreme Court provides clarity and guidance on the bill’s constitutionality.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill has sparked intense debate, with proponents arguing that it protects traditional values and opponents claiming it infringes upon human rights.
The Supreme Court’s decision will have significant implications for Ghana’s LGBTQ+ community, lawmakers, and the executive branch.
By expediting the hearing and resolution of these cases, the Supreme Court can provide much-needed clarity, ensuring that Ghana’s government and citizens can move forward with certainty.
