President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has affirmed his commitment to the rule of law in the review process of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024. He emphasized that pending legal issues related to the bill must be resolved before his administration can consider assenting to it.
In a statement issued by the Office of the President, it was announced that the bill would not be transmitted to the President until matters before the Supreme Court are addressed. The statement referenced pending applications for injunctions filed in the Supreme Court to restrain both Parliament and the President from proceeding with the bill.
The President's office highlighted that the Attorney-General had informed President Akufo-Addo about the pending legal actions, advising against any steps related to the bill until the court cases are resolved. It emphasized the importance of preserving the status quo during the pendency of interlocutory injunction applications.
Furthermore, the statement addressed concerns regarding attempts to submit the bill to the President during a Cabinet Retreat, stressing that such actions would be inappropriate given the legal challenges.
The bill, which proposes stringent penalties for LGBTQ+ activities, including imprisonment for identification as LGBTQ+ and forming or funding LGBTQ+ groups, has garnered support from both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). It has been endorsed by a coalition of religious and traditional leaders.
However, Amnesty International has cautioned against the bill, warning of its potential threat to LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms. The organization urged President Akufo-Addo to exercise caution in its passage into law.