The Office of the President has formally requested Parliament to refrain from sending the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values, also known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, to President Akufo-Addo for his assent.
In a letter directed to the legislative body on Monday, March 18, and endorsed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, this directive was issued in light of two pending applications for an order of interlocutory injunction currently before the Supreme Court.
The communication further conveyed that it would be inappropriate for Parliament to proceed with transmitting the Bill to President Akufo-Addo for any action until the matters before the court are addressed.
The secretary also revealed that the Attorney-General has cautioned the President against any involvement with the Bill until the issues raised by the ongoing legal suits are resolved by the Supreme Court.
“It is the understanding of this Office that both applications have also been duly served on Parliament. Therefore, it would be improper for you to transmit the Bill to the President and equally improper for this Office to receive the Bill until the Supreme Court determines the matters raised in the suits,” stated the letter.
“In the circumstances, you are kindly requested to cease from transmitting the Bill to the President until the matters before the Supreme Court are resolved,” the secretary emphasized.
Furthermore, the letter revealed that on Thursday, March 14, 2024, Parliament endeavored to send the Bill to the President while he and certain cabinet members were participating in a retreat at Peduase.
“It has come to the attention of this Office that while the President and other senior officials of the Presidency were at Peduase for a Cabinet Retreat on Thursday, 14th March 2024, you attempted to submit the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024 (the ‘Bill’) to Jubilee House for the President to signify his assent or otherwise to the Bill.”
See Statement below :
