The Judicial Service of Ghana (JSG) has announced that the cases related to the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, commonly known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, are not yet ready for hearing at the Supreme Court.
These cases involve Richard Sky, Amanda Odoi, and Rockson-Nelson Etse K. Dafeamekpor.
In a statement shared on Tuesday, the JSG indicated that between October 3 and 7, 2024, the defendants in all three cases had yet to submit their statements of the case.
Furthermore, no individual or joint memorandum of issues had been filed.
The Judicial Service has announced that cases related to the controversial Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill are not yet ready to be heard in court. The service cited procedural and administrative reasons for the delay, explaining that certain legal processes must be completed before the cases can proceed to the hearing stage.
The Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, which has sparked intense debate across the country, seeks to impose stricter penalties on individuals and groups involved in LGBTQ+ activities. Supporters of the bill argue that it reflects the nation’s cultural and moral values, while opponents view it as a violation of human rights and international law.
While several lawsuits challenging the bill’s constitutionality have been filed, the Judicial Service confirmed that the necessary legal preparations, including filing, documentation, and case management, are still ongoing. A new date for the hearings has not been set, leaving both supporters and critics of the bill waiting for further developments.
Legal experts suggest that the delay could extend the timeline for resolving these high-profile cases, which are expected to draw significant attention both locally and internationally. The Judicial Service, however, assured the public that it is working to ensure a fair and transparent legal process.