In a recent development, the High Court in Accra has granted a motion to expedite the hearing of a case involving the Member of Parliament for the South Dayi Constituency. The MP is seeking to compel President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, to take action on the anti-LGBTQ bill.
The motion, filed by the applicant, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, and represented by Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo, is in the nature of mandamus to compel the President to perform his constitutional function. The lawmaker is also seeking to compel President Akufo-Addo to accept the anti-gay bill and either sign it or provide reasons for not assenting to it.
The case has been adjourned to April 18 for continuation, and the plaintiff has filed the writ contending that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill has been duly passed by the Parliament of Ghana in compliance with the constitution.
Mr. Dafeamekpor is seeking various reliefs, including a declaration that the Parliament of Ghana duly complied with all the constitutional provisions in the passage of the bill. He also wants an order of mandamus directed at the Speaker of Parliament to present the bill to the President, and an order directed at the President to receive the bill for the purposes of assent or refusal.
This case raises important legal and constitutional issues regarding the process of passing and assenting to bills in Ghana. It will be interesting to see how the court deliberates on these matters and the implications it may have for future legislative processes.
We will continue to monitor this case and provide updates as it progresses through the legal system. Stay tuned for further developments on this significant legal matter.
-source ghanaiantimes | curated by Aisha Yakubu | GhanaCrimes
