‘Cease and desist from transmitting Anti-Gay Bill to Akufo-Addo’ – Presidency instructs Parliament
“In the circumstances, you are kindly requested to cease and desist from transmitting the Bill to the President until the matters before the Supreme Court are resolved,”
The Presidency has written a formal letter to Parliament, urging the House to withhold the anti-gay bill from being sent to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for assent.
The letter dated Monday, March 18, 2024, was written by the Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante and addressed to the Clerk to Parliament, Cyril K.O. Nsiah.
The Office of the President in the request to Parliament, urges the House to refrain from transmitting the Human Sexual Rights and Family Value Bill, 2024 to President Akufo-Addo.
According to the letter, this decision arises from two ongoing applications for an order of interlocutory injunction currently before the Supreme Court.
These applications aim to prevent Parliament from forwarding the Bill to the President and to prevent the President from giving his assent to the Bill until the matter is conclusively determined at the apex court.
The formal request also added that the Attorney-General, Godfred Dame, had notified the President through a letter dated March 18, 2024, confirming receipt of both applications.
Additionally, the Attorney-General advised the President against taking any action regarding the Bill until the legal issues raised by the applications are resolved by the Supreme Court.
“It is the understanding of this Office that both applications have also been duly served on Parliament. Therefore, it would be improper for you to transmit the Bill to the President and equally improper for this Office to receive the Bill until the Supreme Court determines the matters raised in the suits,” portions of the letter read.
Furthermore, the Office reiterated that it is standard legal practice during the pendency of an interlocutory injunction application to maintain the status quo and refrain from any actions that could undermine the authority of the court or prejudice the relief sought.
“In the circumstances, you are kindly requested to cease and desist from transmitting the Bill to the President until the matters before the Supreme Court are resolved,” it added.
From the Jubilee House to the Clerk of parliament: #JoySMS pic.twitter.com/5ZI2NC0QSA
— Elton Brobbey (@EltonBrobbey) March 19, 2024
