Anti-LGBTQI cases: Judicial Service responds to 'delay' comments
In a statement issued on September 13, 2024, the Judicial Service noted that as of August 31, 2024, the parties had not submitted their memorandum of issues for trial.
The Judicial Service of Ghana has attributed delays in hearing the cases on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill (Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill) to the involved parties' failure to comply with court directives.
In a statement issued on September 13, 2024, the Judicial Service noted that as of August 31, 2024, the parties had not submitted their memorandum of issues for trial.
This includes the Attorney-General (2nd defendant), who had not yet filed a statement of the case, despite the plaintiff and the 1st defendant (Speaker of Parliament) having already done so.
This followed media reports about a planned protest by sponsors of the bill dubbed 'Family Values March, on September 17, 2024, against the Chief Justice.
Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Dzata George, noted that the delay in a ruling on an interlocutory injunction related to the bill is stalling its passage, and called for a clear timeline for the case's hearing.
The Judicial Service further provided an update on the two constitutional cases currently before the Supreme Court, both connected to the bill:
Richard Sky vs. Parliament of Ghana and Attorney General
The statement noted that this “case was started with a Writ filed on 5 March 2024. As of 31 July 2024, when the Supreme Court went on recess, neither Parliament (1st Defendant) nor the Attorney General (2nd Defendant) had filed a defense to the Plaintiff’s action in the form of their Statements of Case.
Dr. Amanda Odoi vs. Speaker of Parliament and Attorney General
On the other hand, the Judicial Service said that this case “was started with a Writ filed on 11 June 2023. The 1st defendant (Parliament) filed its Statement of Case on 14 March 2024. The 2nd Defendant has not filed a Statement of Case.
The Judicial Service reassured the public that all court registries remain open during legal vacations and that the judiciary is ready to hear cases as soon as the parties are prepared.
