The Supreme Court of Ghana has granted the Attorney General’s Department an extension to file its statement of case in the ongoing legal matter involving journalist and private legal practitioner Richard Dela Sky against the Speaker of Parliament.
The case challenges the constitutionality of the Ghanaian Family Values Bill, which has generated significant controversy since its introduction. The apex court has provided an additional seven days for the Attorney General’s Department to prepare its statement.
During the proceedings, the State Attorney requested that the court compel the Speaker’s legal team to submit a report on a Financial Impact Analysis related to the Family Values Bill. The State Attorney argued that this analysis could significantly affect the case’s outcome, emphasizing the importance of understanding the bill’s financial implications.
Richard Dela Sky, the plaintiff, asserts that the Family Values Bill violates fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Ghanaian Constitution, such as equality before the law and freedom from discrimination. He contends that the proposed legislation could lead to increased discrimination against marginalized groups, particularly the LGBTQ+ community, and undermine individual dignity.
Sky is also seeking an order from the Supreme Court to restrain the President from assenting to the Human and Sexual Values Bill, 2024, arguing that such action would directly contravene constitutional protections of liberties and rights for all Ghanaians.
The State Attorney’s request for a Financial Impact Analysis is crucial, as it may reveal the potential economic repercussions of implementing the bill and its alignment with the national budget and social services.
With the extension granted, the Attorney General’s Department now has seven additional days to address the issues raised in the lawsuit.
