LGBTQ Archives - Page 2 of 4 -

Richard Sky’s challenge to anti-gay bill set for July 3

The Supreme Court has scheduled July 3, 2024, to hear the case filed by private legal practitioner Richard Dela Sky against Parliament regarding the passage of the controversial anti-gay bill. Sky is challenging the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, seeking a declaration that it is null and void, and arguing that its passage violated the country’s laws and fundamental human rights The case was subsequently adjourned until May 17, allowing Sky to file an updated motion paper accompanied by a supporting affidavit and a clear statement of the case, providing a clearer basis for his legal challenge. The court issued a notice, signed by its registrar, Hellen Ofei-Ayeh (Mrs), on June 14, warning that it will proceed with the hearing as scheduled, regardless of whether representatives from each party are present. The notice effectively puts all parties on notice to ensure their representatives are in attendance, lest they risk forfeiting their opportunity to be heard. “TAKE NOTICE THAT the above-mentioned case has been fixed for WEDNESDAY THE 3 RD DAY OF JULY, 2024 at 9:30 am for hearing. “If the case is called and you do not appear to answer, the Court will proceed to hear same without you.” Click to read the notice by the court —– Explore the world of impactful news with CitiNewsroom on WhatsApp! Click on the link to join the Citi Newsroom channel for curated, meaningful stories tailored just for YOU: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCYzPRAYlUPudDDe53x No spams, just the stories that truly matter! #StayInformed #CitiNewsroom #CNRDigital

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LGBTQ Case: Supreme Court Orders Plaintiff to File Fresh Motion

The Supreme Court has ordered one of the plaintiffs in the suit challenging the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill to file a fresh motion. The plaintiff, Richard Dela Sky, a broadcast journalist, is contesting Parliament’s constitutionality in approving the “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill,” also known as the LGBTQ+ bill. Sky, who is requesting that the Supreme Court deem the Bill unlawful, also claims that its passing violates sections of the 1992 Constitution, including Article 33(5), as well as Articles 12(1) and (2), 15(1), 17(1) and (2), 18(2), and 21(1) (a) (b) (d) and (e). According to him, provisions in the bill “raise profound concerns regarding the potential infringement of the fundamental human rights and freedoms guaranteed to every Ghanaian by the Constitution.” The Plaintiff is seeking eight reliefs, including an order stating that “the Speaker of Parliament contravened Article 108(a)(ii) of the Constitution, in light of Article 296(a)(b) and (c), by admitting and allowing Parliament to proceed upon and pass, ‘The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024’ into law as the same imposes a charge upon the Consolidated Fund or other public funds of Ghana.” However, on Wednesday, the Supreme Court directed the plaintiff to file a new motion, along with a supplementary affidavit and statement of the case. Sky and his Lawyers were also given leave to address any issues, matters of fact and issues of law in the new process. This was after Paa Kwesi Abaidoo, lawyer for Mr Sky filed two separate applications seeking leave to amend one of their reliefs and another to file a supplementary affidavit to their application for interlocutory injunction. Initially, the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, opposed the request for leave to file a supplementary affidavit. But the lawyers of the Speaker of Parliament, led by Thaddeus Sory, urged that a fresh motion be filed to clean up the processes. The five-member panel presided over by Chief Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo said the plaintiff had up till May 17, 2024, to file the new processes. Meanwhile, Mr Thaddeus Sory, counsel for the first defendant, has been granted seven days after service to file any processes on which they may depend during the trial. The matter has been adjourned indefinitely. The bill, which prohibits LGBTQ activities and their promotion, advocacy, and funding, was passed by Parliament on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. The lawsuit has since restricted Parliament from submitting the Bill to the Presidency for President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo’s assent. Meanwhile, in the case of Dr. Amanda Odoi, a researcher at the University of Cape Coast who is also challenging the validity of Parliament’s approval of the LQBTQ+ Bill, the Speaker’s Lawyer, Mr Sory, has been directed to file new supplementary affidavits. This followed Dr. Ernest Ako, the counsel for Dr. Odoi, informing the Court that Mr Sory’s supplementary affidavit was filed without the Court’s permission. He stated that they felt they should be allowed to respond, notwithstanding the inappropriate language used in the affidavit. The Court stated that many of the paragraphs were inappropriate and should be reviewed. Dr Odoi filed an application for an interlocutory injunction against the Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney General in response to the recent passage of the anti-gay bill. GNA

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Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill: Richard Sky, Dr Amanda Odoi to face Supreme Court on May 8

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Broadcast Journalist, Richard Dela Sky and Researcher Dr. Amanda Odoi will appear before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, to move their respective lawsuits challenging the passage of the LGBTQ+ Bill and its possible assent. The two controversial lawsuits have since stopped the Bill from being transmitted from parliament to the Presidency for President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo to possibly assent to it. Richard Sky, also a private legal practitioner, and Dr Amanda Odoi, a researcher at the University of Cape Coast are challenging the constitutionality of the passage of the LQBTQ+ Bill which has been passed by Parliament. President Akufo-Addo had since declined to receive the bill from the law-making chamber pointing to the two pending cases at the Supreme Court as the basis. According to EIB Network’s Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, the two cases have been listed for hearing on the Supreme Court’s cause list commencing from Tuesday, May 7 to May 9, 2024. Richard Dela Sky per his action at the Supreme Court is challenging the constitutionality of Parliament in passing the “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.” The Plaintiff who is seeking the apex court to declare the Bill null and void also contended that the passage of the bill violates provisions of the 1992 Constitution particularly Article 33(5) as well as Articles 12(1) and (2), 15(1), 17(1) and (2), 18(2), and 21(1) (a) (b) (d) and (e) of the Constitution. According to him, provisions in the bill “raise profound concerns regarding the potential infringement of the fundamental human rights and freedoms guaranteed to every Ghanaian by the Constitution.” Mr. Sky, also a journalist is seeking eight reliefs including an order that “the Speaker of Parliament contravened Article 108(a)(ii) of the Constitution, in light of Article 296(a)(b) and (c), by admitting and allowing Parliament to proceed upon and pass, ‘The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024’ into law as the same imposes a charge upon the Consolidated Fund or other public funds of Ghana.” The bill, which prohibits LGBTQ activities and their promotion, advocacy, and funding, was passed by Parliament on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has yet to assent to the bill and has stated that he will await the Supreme Court’s ruling before deciding on the controversial bill. He further prayed for “an injunction barring any attempts to enforce the provisions of “The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2024,” particularly those criminalizing same-sex relationships and related advocacy efforts.” Reliefs sought Mr. Sky in his writ is seeking four declarations and four orders as follows; i. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 33(5) of the Constitution of 1992, in light of Article 12(1)(2), 15(1), 17(1) of the ‘Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024’ by Parliament on 28th February 2024, Contravened the Constitution and is to that extend null, void and of no effect. ii. A declaration that the Speaker of Parliament contravened Article 108(a) (11) of the Constitution, in light of Articles 296(a)(b)(c), by admitting and allowing Parliament to proceed upon and pass The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024 into law as the same imposes a charge upon the Consolidated Fund or other public funds of Ghana. iii. A declaration that Parliament exceeded its authority under Articles 106(2) and 108(a)(ii) in passing “The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2024, as the same imposes a charge upon the Consolidated Fund or other Public funds of Ghana. iv. A declaration that, upon the true and proper interpretation of Articles 102 and 104(1) of the Constitution, Parliament lacked the requisite quorum to pass “The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values BilI, 2024.” v. An order restraining 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. vi. An order restraining the President of the Republic from assenting to The Human and Sexual Values Bill, 2024, as such action will directly contravene the Constitutional safeguards of liberties and rights of Ghanaians. vii. An injunction barring any attempts to enforce the provisions of The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bil 2024, particularly those criminalizing same-sex relationships and related advocacy efforts. vii. Such further orders or directions as to this Honourable Court may seem to meet. Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Murtala Inusah

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Full judgment on LGBTQ+Bill: Your demands ought to have been refused by Public Officer before going to Court – Judge to Dafeamekpor

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The High Court in Accra has said for a Mandamus application to succeed in the manner in which Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has sought from the Court to compel the Speaker of Parliament and the President to act on the LGBTQ+ bill, he ought to have first made a demand. According to the Court, that demand ought to have been made to a public officer but that public officer should have refused same. This the Court said, paves the way for an order of Mandamus to be sought in Court. However, that was not the situation in Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor’s action. Justice Ellen Lordina Serwah Mireku made this known in her 14-paged judgment of Rockson-Nelson Dafeamakpor’s request to compel both the Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin and President Nana Akufo-Addo to act within seven days. “This the Applicant deems as a demand and a refusal to act on their parts. I am of the considered view that these letters are not an act of outright refusal but a request to hold on or postpone the performance of the duty to a later time. “Lastly, for the right of an Order of Mandamus to arise, the Applicant must have inter alia made a demand and same be refused and/or deemed to be refused by the Public Officer before a party could proceed to Court. “It should however be noted that the current law in Ghana is that the demand and refusal rule is only applicable to statutes and not the Constitution.” On Monday, April 29, 2024, the Court while dismissing the said, “It is my considered opinion that this Application for Mandamus is premature as the essence of the very Bill is being challenged at the Supreme Court and it would be peremptory to grant the application.” “After careful consideration of the application, even though the Applicant satisfied the Court that there was a duty imposed on the Respondents, per the reasons given above, I am not minded exercising my discretion in the Applicant’s favor as I find that it is not appropriate at this time. “Accordingly, the instant Application for Judicial Review in the nature of mandamus is refused,” the Court said. Find attached the full judgment of the Court delivered on April 29, 2024, and released on May 2, 2024

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LGBTQ+ Bill: Dafeamekpor files appeal against dismissal of request to compel Akufo-Addo, Bagbin to act on bill

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Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has filed an appeal to reverse the decision of the High Court which dismissed his request to compel President Akufo-Addo and Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin to act on the bill within seven days. The appeal processes filed on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, states among other things that, “the High Court failed to exercise its discretion reasonably and fairly when it refused to grant the Applicant’s Application for Judicial Review in the Nature of Mandamus.” On Monday, April 29, the High Court in Accra presided over by Justice Ellen Lordina Serwah Mireku said, though the court has jurisdiction to hear the mandamus, two pending cases before the Supreme Court challenge the processes of parliament which is a constitutional matter for the apex Court to address. The Court said it is of the considered view that it will be inappropriate for the High Court to compel the Respondents (Alban Bagbin and Akufo-Addo) to act on the bill when the basis of the case is pending before the apex Court. In exercise of its discretion, however, the court dismissed the request which was asking that the Speaker be compelled to transmit the bill to the President and the President should also be compelled to receive it. A day after the decision, the Applicant – Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, through his lawyers led by Nii Kpakpo Samoa filed a notice of appeal to challenge the decision of the High Court. “Please take notice that the Applicant/Appellant herein who is dissatisfied with the decision of the High Court, (General Jurisdiction) Accra contained in the ruling of Her Ladyship Ellen Serwaa L. Mireku, J., dated 29th April 2024 hereby appeals to the Court of Appeal on the grounds set out in paragraph 3 of this Notice of Appeal and will at the hearing of this Appeal seek the reliefs set out in paragraph 4,” the Notice of Appeal stated. Per the document filed on Tuesday, the Appellant stated that he has concerns about “the whole ruling.” The grounds of his appeal he said are also grounded on the fact that “the ruling is against the weight of evidence.” He stated that additional grounds were to be filed upon receipt of the Record of Appeal. The Appellant and his lawyers are asking that the ruling of the High Court be reversed and the same be set aside. Starrfm.com.gh

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Assenting LGBTQ+ Bill: Court throws out Dafeamekpor’s application against President, Speaker

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The High Court in Accra has thrown out an application seeking to compel the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to act on the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill within seven days. In a ruling Monday [April 29, 2024], the court, presided over by Justice Ellen Lordina Serwaa Mireku, said although it had the discretion to grant the mandamus application, it was inappropriate to compel the respondents since there were two cases pending at the Supreme Court challenging the breach of the Constitution on the passage of the bill. The application was filed by a Member of Parliament for South-Dayi Constituency, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, on March 22, 2024. Arguments In court yesterday, his lawyer, Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo, argued that the crux of the application was for the court to compel the President to receive the bill, adding: “We have come to court for a mandamus for the Speaker of Parliament to send the bill to the President”. The Chief State Attorney, Sylvia Adesu, on the other hand, said the action was premature for the Court to interfere with matters between Parliament and the Presidency when the bill had not even been assented to. Background In his application at the High Court, Dafeamekpor had prayed the High Court to compel the Speaker of Parliament to submit the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill to the President within seven days. The Plaintiff had also requested that the Court compel the President to receive the Anti-gay bill and either sign or indicate to Parliament he cannot assent to it within the same period. The application for Judicial Review in the nature of mandamus was premised on the grounds that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill had been duly passed by the Parliament of Ghana in compliance with the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. The legislator also argued that the bill “must be transmitted to and received by the President of Ghana for assent or otherwise in accordance with Article 106 of the 1992 Constitution.

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Court adjourns Dafeamakpor’s request to compel Akufo-Addo, Bagbin to act on LGBTQ+ bill

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The High Court in Accra has adjourned Rockson-Nelson Dafeamakpor’s application for Mandamus seeking to compel the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, and President Akufo-Addo to act on the LGBTQ+ bill within 7 days. This adjournment was after the Court had granted the Applicant’s (Dafeamakpor’s) application for abridgment of time to hear the application today. Following the grant of the request for the abridgment of time, Counsel for Applicant Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo moved the application for mandamus. However, the same was opposed by the State Attorney who will have the opportunity to advance their arguments in the next sitting. The case has been adjourned to April 18 for further arguments and subsequent determination. Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi Rockson Nelson-Dafeamekpor filed an application at the High Court to compel Speaker of Parliament to submit Anti-LGBT bill to the President with 7 days. The Plaintiff is also asking the Court to compel President to accept bill and either sign or indicate to Parliament he cannot assent within the same period. The application for Judicial Review in the nature of Mandamus which was filed on March 22 was premised on grounds that, the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill has been duly passed by the Parliament of Ghana in compliance with Article 106 (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. The legislator who is the Plaintiff also argued that, the Bill “must be transmitted to and received by the President of Ghana for assent or otherwise in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.” According to Murtala Inusah, an application for Mandamus is a request to a Court asking it to compel or order a government official to properly fulfill their official duties or correct an abuse of discretion. Below are the reliefs being sought by the Plaintiff in his application for Mandamus I. A declaration that the Parliament of Ghana duly complied with all the Constitutional provisions stipulated in Article 106 (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana in the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill on the 28th of February, 2024. II. An Order of mandamus directed at the 1st Respondent herein to present the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill to the President of the Republic of Ghana herein in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the 1992 Republic Constitution of Ghana on the basis that the Parliament of Ghana has duly complied with all the Constitutional provisions stipulated under Article 106 (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. III. An Order directed at the President of Ghana to receive the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill as presented by Parliament in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana for the purposes of his assent or otherwise. IV. An Order directed at the President of the Republic of Ghana to signify to the 1st Respondent herein, within seven days after the presentation of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, his assent to the Bill or that he refuses to assent to the bill in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, unless the Bill is referred by the President to the Council of State pursuant to Article 90 of the Constitution of Ghana. V. Any other relief(s) this Honourable Court may deem fit. Background Parliament passed the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, on Wednesday, February 28. Among other things, the bill punishes those who take part in LGBTQ sexual acts, as well as those who promote the rights of gay, lesbian or other non-conventional sexual or gender identities with time in prison. Although a section of the public have welcomed the bill, others including CHRAJ have raised many concerns including discrimination against people and their freedoms as stated in the constitution. However, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, says no part of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill (Anti-LGBTQ Bill) infringes on the laws in the 1992 constitution. Already, the Finance Ministry has advised President Akufo-Addo against signing it, expressing concerns that the country could face serious financial challenges if the president goes ahead to assent to the bill. The ministry warned that Ghana could lose more than $3 billion in funding from the World Bank for various programmes and projects. In response, President Akufo-Addo reassured the international community of Ghana’s commitment to upholding human rights despite the recent passage of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill. Addressing concerns during a diplomatic engagement, the President emphasised that Ghana remains steadfast in its long-standing reputation for respecting human rights and adherent to the rule of law. He clarified that the Bill is facing a legal challenge at the Supreme Court and that until a decision is arrived at, no action would be taken by his government on the private Member’s bill. Starr /myjoyonline. Join our growing community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EH6m8QkvLSPCCPbmhdoctH

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Don’t sign “draconian and hateful” anti-gay bill – Richard Branson to Akufo-Addo

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The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Galactic, Richard Branson, has expressed concern about the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill by Ghana’s Parliament. The British Virgin Islands-based billionaire described the bill as a backslide on human rights and an economic disaster. He posted on his X handle that “to be thrown in jail just for being who you are and who you love seems too cruel to believe.” Ghana’s Parliament passed the controversial bill on February 27, 2024, which is yet to be transmitted to the President for his assent. The 73-year-old Richard Branson disclosed that he had shared his thoughts on why the bill must not be assented into law and indicated that “the only way to stop the bill coming into effect is for President Addo to veto it.” “Today, I join many other human rights advocates in Africa and around the world in calling on the President to veto this draconian and hateful piece of legislation,” the open letter added. Below is the full letter. In late February, I watched with deep concern as Ghana’s parliament passed a cruel and terrifying new anti-LGBTQ+ bill, that criminalises people simply for coming out, giving courts the power to impose a prison sentence of up to three years. To be thrown in jail just for being who you are and who you love defies belief. To make things worse, people who support LGBTQ+ rights could also face jail terms of up to five years under the new legislation. With the backing of Ghana’s two major political parties, the bill is now waiting to be signed by President Nana Akufo-Addo. The President has said he won’t act on the bill until the supreme court rules on challenges against it. Today, I join many other human rights advocates in Africa and around the world in calling on the President to veto this draconian and hateful piece of legislation. Not only is the bill a clear violation of fundamental human rights, it also carries the risk of disastrous economic consequences for Ghana (as the finance minister stressed in a memo). For this wonderful country, which has been emerging from its worst economic crisis in decades and is reliant on international funding, the fallout could be devastating. It’s been alarming to see aggressive LGBTQ+ discrimination sweep across the African continent. Last year, I wrote about Uganda’s horrific Anti-Homosexuality Act, one of the most draconian pieces of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the world. The Act that could lead to the persecution of thousands of people; some in Uganda’s LGBTQ+ community have been forced into hiding, others have chosen exile. Some of the ‘offences’ outlined in the Act even carry the death penalty. Earlier this year, Amnesty International published a review of the escalating anti LGBTQ+ sentiment and the resulting weaponisation of legislation across 12 African countries. As Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, put it: “We face what can only be described as a deepening crisis of homophobic lawfare.” At the heart of this, we must remember that people do not choose to be gay and that absolutely anyone could be – millions of people all over the world, in every country, are gay. As a parent and grandparent, I want my loved ones to grow up free from discrimination and fear. Supporters of anti-LGBTQ+ measures should ask themselves: What if my child was gay? Would I throw them in prison? Criminalising a person’s identity legitimises discrimination and corrodes dignity. Families, businesses, societies, and countries prosper when people have the freedom to be themselves. Why would we ever deny this? Love is love, straight or gay, and we should always stand up so that the LGBTQ+ community can live and love in peace. The community has made lasting contributions to social, political and cultural life all throughout history. We should be proud of our gay friends, children, colleagues, and others all around us. I am also proud that Virgin is a co-founder of Open For Business, a coalition of businesses fighting homophobia on a global scale and making the business case for LGBTQ+ inclusion. If you are a business leader – in Ghana, Uganda, and elsewhere – join us, and be part of collective action on LGBTQ+ rights. Whoever you are, join us in speaking out against Ghana’s horrific law. Ghana and its wonderful people can do so much better. #CitiNewsroom

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Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill: Uphold the constitution you swore to protect – Catholic Bishops Conference

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The Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops Conference, Reverend Father Clement Kwasi Adjei, has asked President Akufo-Addo to reconsider his decision not to assent to the recently passed Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, the cleric argued that the presidency’s letter to Parliament, instructing them not to transmit the bill to the presidency contravenes the established constitutional process wherein all laws enacted by parliament must be forwarded to the presidency for consideration. He reminded the president of his vow to uphold the constitution of the country. “The way things are going, it is not the best. I am not happy, and neither is the Catholic Bishops Conference. The President must follow the law he swore to uphold when he was sworn into office,” he said on Wednesday. Nevertheless, in the presidency’s letter addressed to Parliament on Tuesday, the decision stems from the acknowledgment of two pending applications for an order of interlocutory injunction before the Supreme Court. Expressing dismay over recent events, Reverend Father Adjei called for a dialogue between religious bodies and the president to address the apparent deviation from constitutional norms. “The constitution is the supreme law of Ghana and any law that is inconsistent with any provision in the constitution, for the sake of its inconsistency is null and void. “So how can you write a letter telling parliament not to transmit the bill to the presidency? The constitution must be seen as the supreme law of the country. And in that constitution, any law enacted by parliament must be sent to the presidency,” he told host Aisha Ibrahim. Meanwhile, tensions have been high among the MPs since Parliament received the letter from the presidency. Parliament also suspended the consideration of the nomination of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State by President Akufo-Addo in what looks like a retaliation by the Speaker over the president’s position on the controversial bill. The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin said the legislature could not approve the President’s appointees because of an interlocutory injunction filed at the Supreme Court by MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor. myjoyonline.com

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We cannot approve your new ministers – Bagbin tells Akufo-Addo

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The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has suspended the consideration of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State nominated by President Akufo-Addo. Bagbin’s decision stems from an interlocutory injunction filed at the Supreme Court by MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Etse K. Dafeamekpor, rendering Parliament unable to sanction new ministers nominated by President Akufo-Addo. This action by Bagbin follows a directive from the presidency, which issued a cease and desist letter to Parliament, restraining them from transmitting the Bill on Human Sexual Rights and Family Values for President Akufo-Addo’s assent. The presidency cited an ongoing interlocutory application at the Supreme Court as grounds for their decision. In an official response, Bagbin reiterated Parliament’s inability to proceed with the approval of new ministers under similar circumstances. The “ongoing scenario poses a grave threat to our legislative authority and, by extension, the democratic principles we strive to uphold. The implications of such executive actions extend far beyond the immediate legislative items at hand. They erode the foundational checks and balances that our forebearers painstakingly established to ensure a vibrant and functioning democracy.” Bagbin added that “The Parliament of Ghana will comply with the existing legal framework and reject the attempts by the Executive Secretary of the President, through his contemptuous letter, to instruct the Clerk to Parliament, an Officer of Parliament whose position is recognizably under the Constitution. We shall not cease and desist! “Be that as it may, Hon Members, I also bring to your attention, the receipt of a process from the Courts titled Rockson-Nelson Etse K. Dafeamekpor vrs. The Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney -General ( Suit no. J1/12/2024) which process was served on the 19th of March 2024 and an injunction motion on notice seeking to restrain the Speaker from proceeding with the vetting and approval of the names of the persons submitted by His Excellency the President until the provisions of the constitution are satisfied. “Hon. Members in the light of this process, the House is unable to continue to consider the nominations of His Excellency the President in the “spirit of upholding the rule of law “ until after the determination of the application for interlocutory injunction by the Supreme Court.”

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