Anti-LGBTQI case: Attorney-General requests for live media coverage

The Attorney-General Godfred Dame has requested live coverage of the anti-LGBTQI case in court.

Ghanaian Journalist, Richard Dela Sky, and Researcher Dr. Amanda Odoi are set to appear before the Supreme Court today, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, to move their respective lawsuits challenging the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.

In a letter to the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General justified his application for a live hearing for this case, citing significant public interest in the anti-gay bill.

In his words, “Respectfully, in view of the public interest in the cases concerning the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2024 (the Bill) I would like to recommend that the media (including radio and television) be given full access to the relevant courts to undertake coverage of all proceedings in those cases concerning the Bill.”

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“The cases under reference are as follows: Supreme Court 1. Dr. Amanda Odoi v The Speaker of Parliament and Another (Suit No. J1/13/2023), and 2. Richard Dela Sky v The Parliament of Ghana and Another (Suit No. J1/9/2024).

“High Court 1. Mr. Paul Boama-Sefa v The Speaker of Parliament and Another (Suit No. D45/SF.128/2023), and 2. Dr. Prince Obiri-Korang v The Attorney-General (Suit No. J1/18/2021)

“It is my respectful view that the transparency to be engendered by a coverage of the proceedings would be in the best interest of the administration of justice.”

He specifically mentioned cases in both the Supreme Court and High Court that would address the legality of the bill.

Sky and Dr. Odai have filed independent cases challenging the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2024, passed by the House on February 28.

Amongst the reliefs sought from the apex court in both suits is an order restraining President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo from assenting the bill into law.