Court grants Dafeamekpor's motion, adjourns suit seeking to compel Akufo-Addo to sign Anti-LGBTQI bill

The High Court in Accra has granted a motion filed by the Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson Nelson Dafeamekor for an expedited hearing in a suit filed to compel the president to take action on the Anti-LGBTQI Bill.

Per the motion, the applicant, indicated the important nature of the suit and the need for it to be given urgent attention.

This motion was, however, not opposed by the state.

Counsel for the plaintiff thus proceeded to move the main application for mandamus, which was subsequently opposed by the state.

It is worth stating that this suit also seeks to compel the Speaker of Parliament to submit the bill to the presidency as required by law.

A mandamus, which is a discretionary remedy, is an order directed at a public officer to compel him to perform a duty statutorily committed to him.

The case was then adjourned to April 18 2024 for the defendants to advance their arguments in opposition.

Per his writ, the Member of Parliament is seeking the following reliefs;

I. A declaration that the Parliament of Ghana duly complied with all the Constitutional provisions stipulated in Article 106 (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana in the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill on the 28th of February, 2024.

II. An Order of mandamus directed at the 1st Respondent herein to present the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill to the President of the Republic of Ghana herein in accordance with Article 106 (7) of the 1992 Republic Constitution of Ghana on the basis that the Parliament of Ghana has duly complied with all the Constitutional provisions stipulated under Article 106 (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

III. An order directed at the President of Ghana to receive the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill as presented by Parliament in accordance with Article 106(7) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana for the purposes of his assent or otherwise.

IV. An order directed at the President of the Republic of Ghana to signify to the 1st Respondent herein, within seven days after the presentation of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, his assent to the bill or that he refuses to assent to the bill in accordance with Article 106(7) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana unless the bill is referred by the President to the Council of State pursuant to Article 90 of the Constitution of Ghana.

V. Any other relief(s) this Honourable Court may deem fit.