Lawyers for Researcher, Dr Amanda Odoi, have justified the request for an interlocutory injunction restraining Parliament from transmitting the controversial anti-gay bill to the President for assent or otherwise.
According to lead counsel, Ernest Arkoh, the bill which is a private member's bill will impose a charge on the public purse.
He argues that per the dictates of Article 108 of the 1992 constitution, Parliament is constrained because the bill impacts or has financial implications for the Consolidated or other Public Funds and therefore must be introduced by the President or on his behalf.
Addressing the court during today's hearing, the lawyer stressed that the damage that would be caused should the bill be transmitted to the President and assented cannot be compensated for.
He insists that only an interlocutory injunction will stop Parliament from transmitting the bill to the President since the House has attempted to do so despite the lawsuits.
Mr Ernest Arkoh told the court that irreparable harm would be caused to members of the LGBTQ community should the court refuse the present injunction application.
“Some people thought that the bill had become law when the bill was passed by Parliament. Some people even suffered violence as a result of this. The dignity of the individual would be affected should the application be rejected,” he explained.
The plaintiff, Dr Amanda Odoi who is a Researcher at the University of Cape Coast, and media personality, Richard Sky are challenging the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.
While Mr Richard Sky is asking the court to declare the bill null and void because he believes it breaches several provisions of the 1992 constitution and violates the country’s laws and the fundamental human rights guaranteed by the constitution, Dr Odoi is seeking a restraining order to prevent the Speaker, the Attorney General, and the Clerk of Parliament from sending the bill to President Akufo-Addo for his approval.
Latest Stories
-
How a stale A$17.50 cookie sparked a social media storm
1 hour -
Catholic Church to lead protest walk against galamsey on Oct. 11
1 hour -
87% of petroleum sector players cite foreign currency acqisition as biggest challenge in meeting payment obligations – Report
2 hours -
Organised Labour, our only hope for the voiceless in the Galamsey fight. (Part II)
2 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Hearts held at home against Aduana
3 hours -
Lands Ministry receives petition from #FreeTheCitizens protestors
4 hours -
Vision Foundation make medical donation to Manhean Polyclinic
5 hours -
Gen Z highlife singer Yaw Darling making waves with hit single
5 hours -
Organised labour can’t call off intended strike if demand isn’t met – Labour expert
5 hours -
MTN Ghana unveils tailored services for oil and gas sector at Local Content Conference
5 hours -
Ghana’s Economic recovery a major reason for our return- Virgin Atlantic Airlines
5 hours -
Eric Atta-Sonno: Preserving the beach fronts of Cape Coast: A reflection on our values
6 hours -
Small-scale miners seek engagements with gov’t, organised labor on measures to deal with illegal mining
6 hours -
Choose competence over religious considerations – Napo tells electorate
6 hours -
How much time is more time? – UTAG sceptical of Akufo-Addo’s assurance to act on galamsey demands
6 hours