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The Office of the President has made a formal request to Parliament to withhold forwarding the anti-LGBTQ bill to President Akufo-Addo for his assent.
This decision comes in light of two pending applications for an order of interlocutory injunction before the Supreme Court aimed at preventing Parliament from sending the bill to the President and restraining the President from giving his assent until the matter is resolved.
Nana Bediatuo Asante, the Secretary to the President, issued a statement on Monday explaining the decision. The Attorney-General had informed the President that he had been served with both applications, advising him not to take any action regarding the bill until the issues raised in the suits are resolved by the Supreme Court.
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The statement emphasized that during the consideration of an interlocutory injunction application, the status quo should be maintained, and no action should be taken that could prejudice the requested injunctive relief or undermine the authority of the court.
Therefore, the Office of the President requested Parliament not to transmit the bill until the matters before the Supreme Court are resolved. This move aims to ensure respect for the legal process and avoid any actions that could potentially undermine the authority of the court or prejudice the ongoing legal proceedings.
The anti-LGBTQ bill was passed by Parliament on February 28, but its enactment has faced opposition and legal challenges. Civil society groups have threatened legal action if President Akufo-Addo assents to the bill, citing concerns about its constitutionality and potential violations of human rights. As a result, President Akufo-Addo has withheld his assent pending the resolution of the legal issues surrounding the bill in the Supreme Court.
