High Court Postpones Anti-LGBTQ Bill Lawsuit Against Speaker and Attorney General to July 29

An Accra High Court has postponed the case brought by private citizen Paul Boama-Sefa challenging the passage of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill.

Boama-Sefa, a farmer, filed the suit against the Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney General, aiming to halt Parliament’s progression with the bill’s passage.

Claiming breaches of constitutional provisions in Parliament’s handling of the anti-LGBTQ legislation, Boama-Sefa referenced Section 100(1) of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016(Act 921). He argued that the Speaker failed to adhere to the law’s requirements.

During the court session, Boama-Sefa’s legal team requested four weeks to submit written arguments, which the presiding Judge Ellen Mireku granted. Both the Attorney General’s and the Speaker’s lawyers also sought time for submissions.

Section 100(1) of the Public Financial Management Act stipulates that any legislation presented to Parliament should be accompanied by a fiscal impact analysis.

Boama-Sefa contends that this procedure was neglected, rendering the bill’s passage process invalid.

The lawsuit, initiated in May 2023, not only seeks a declaration of the Speaker and Attorney General’s failure but also demands a halt to any further proceedings related to the bill until compliance is ensured. The court adjourned the hearing to July 29, 2024.