A seven-member Supreme Court panel, led by Justice Lovelace Avril Johnson, has unanimously dismissed a petition challenging the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill. The petition, filed by broadcast journalist and lawyer Richard Dela Sky, sought to declare the bill null and void due to its controversial provisions.
The bill, which has sparked intense national debate, aims to criminalize LGBTQI advocacy and related activities. Proponents argue that it protects Ghanaian cultural and family values, while critics, including human rights organizations, condemn it as a violation of fundamental human rights.
The Supreme Court's decision upheld the constitutionality of the legislative process, emphasizing that only enacted laws can be subject to judicial review. Justice Lovelace Johnson clarified that a bill must receive presidential assent to become an enacted law.
Additionally, equality and inclusion advocate Amanda Odoi filed a separate petition, arguing that Parliament failed to meet quorum requirements during the legislative process. However, the court dismissed both petitions, stating that the bill had not yet become law.
The debate surrounding the bill has become a flashpoint in the broader discussion of human rights and cultural values in Ghana. As the bill's fate remains uncertain, many are watching to see how the new administration will address this contentious issue.
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Madina, Francis-Xavier Sosu, has welcomed the Court's decision, stating that the court has finally made the right decision. According to Sosu, the court upheld the principles of the law, affirming Parliament's role as the legislative arm of government and the importance of presidential assent.
Hon. Sosu believes that the action filed by Richard Sky was premature, and that the Supreme Court's decision was a testament to upholding the rule of law and the separation of powers. This decision has significant implications for the bill's future, as it has been a topic of intense debate and controversy.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0