The Office of the President has formally asked Parliament not to forward the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill—also known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill—to President Akufo-Addo for his signature.
In a letter signed by the Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo, and sent to Parliament on Monday, March 18, the request was made in view of the two ongoing applications for an order of interlocutory injunction that are presently pending before the Supreme Court.
The letter made clear that until the issues before the court are resolved, Parliament should not move further with sending the Bill to President Akufo-Addo for any action.
Furthermore, it was revealed that the Attorney-General recommended to the President against moving further with the Bill until the Supreme Court had addressed the issues brought up by the pending legal actions.
“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,”
“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,” it added.
“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.”
