Let me know when to transmit anti-gay bill to Akufo-Addo –Clerk of Parliament to Bediatuo

The Clerk to the Parliament of Ghana, Cyril Nsiah has reached out to the Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante, seeking clarification on when to transmit the controversial Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, also known as the anti-LGBTQI+ Bill. This appointment request comes in response to a controversial letter from Mr. Bediatuo that sought to ward Parliament off from transmitting the Bill to President Akufo-Addo for his assent.

In his letter to Mr. Bediatuo dated Wednesday, April 10, and sighted by African Editors, Mr. Nsiah expressed his intention to transmit the Bill in accordance with Article 106(7) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

“I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your Letter No. OPS 140/1/24/235 dated 18th March, 2024 on the above subject matter and received in my Office on 19th March, 2024.”

“I have taken note of the contents of the letter, particularly the text in the last paragraph, which states that “In the circumstances, you are kindly requested to cease and desist from transmitting the Bill to the President until matters before the Supreme Court are resolved.”

“Accordingly, I await an indication in writing from your Office on when to present the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024 to His Excellency the President for his consideration, pursuant to article 106(7) of the Constitution, 1992.”

Following the controversial letter of March 18, 2024, in which presidency asked parliament to refrain from sending the anti-gay bill to President Akufo-Addo for his assent, citing the pendency of two pending applications for an order of interlocutory injunction against the bill, many condemned the presidency for its stance, with parliament also retaliating by suspending the vetting process for President Akufo-Addo’s newly nominated ministers.

The letter stressed the impropriety of Parliament proceeding with transmitting the Bill to President Akufo-Addo for any action until the legal matters before the court are resolved.

Additionally, it was revealed that the Attorney-General had advised the President against taking any action regarding the Bill until the issues raised in the legal suits are addressed by the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, an Accra High Court has granted an application for the abridgement of time for the hearing of the case seeking to compel President Akufo-Addo to receive the Anti-LGBTQ bill from parliament.

This case, filed by NDC MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, is demanding several declarations over the President’s refusal to receive the bill from Parliament.