The Supreme Court has approved a request for an extension from the Attorney General’s Department, granting the state more time to file its statement of case regarding the anti-LGBT bill in the case between private legal practitioner Richard Dela Sky and the Office of the Speaker of Parliament.
Sky’s application raised concerns about the constitutionality of the Ghanaian Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the anti-LGBT bill.
His suit targets the Speaker of Parliament, arguing that certain provisions of the bill may conflict with the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
During the hearing, the Attorney General’s Department requested additional time, stating that it was necessary to adequately prepare their response to the case.
The Supreme Court agreed, providing the state with an extra seven days to finalize and submit its statement of case. This decision allows the state’s legal representatives more time to construct a comprehensive legal argument in reply to Richard Sky’s claims.
Additionally, the State Attorney urged the court to compel the Speaker’s legal team to present a Financial Impact Analysis report.
The Attorney General’s Department argued that this report is crucial to the case, as it could illuminate the potential economic implications of implementing the Ghanaian Family Values Bill.
The department contends that understanding the bill’s financial consequences is essential, as such assessments could significantly impact both the legal arguments presented and the court’s final decision.
Richard Dela Sky argues that the Family Values Bill infringes on constitutional protections for citizens’ rights, potentially leading to increased discrimination against vulnerable groups and undermining individual dignity.
He has requested that the Supreme Court issue an order preventing the President from signing the bill, asserting that doing so would violate the constitutional rights of Ghanaians.
