The lead advocate for the anti-LGBTQ bill, Samuel Nartey George has taken on the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame over his delay in filing submissions to expedite hearing of the cases before court.
The Ningo-Prampram Member of Parliament questioned the inaction of the Attorney General, describing it as worrying.
The proposed legislation, which aims to criminalize and regulate LGBTQ+ activities and advocacy in Ghana, has ignited considerable public debate and faced legal opposition.
In an interview on Asempa FM Ekosii Sen programme Monday, Mr George stressed the need for a swift resolution, citing the potential wide-reaching impact of these cases.
It is on this note he said petition will be presented to the Attorney General to impress on him to do the needful during a protest on Tuesday, October 8.
“Why he [Attorney General] is doing that, only him and his God know but we pay him a salary. He had 14 days to file his responses but he hasn’t done that. It’s been 10 weeks thus 170 days
“His job is to defend the interest of the taxpayer in court not to be seeking the remand of innocent citizens who are protesting against galamsey,” he said.
There has been a growing concern among a section of Ghanaians on the delayed hearing of cases filed Amanda Odoi and Richard Dela Sky which have been pending since July, with the Supreme Court yet to begin hearings.
However, the Judicial Service has explained that the parties involved are yet to complete the necessary procedural work.
Reacting to this, the lawmaker stated it was important for the Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo to expedite the hearings and resolution of these cases.
“There is nowhere in the legal jurisprudence that says the Chief Justice must wait for the AG before proceeding on a case because, justice delayed is justice denied.
“We have been on this since March 5, 2024, and have not made any progress so there is no hurry here. We are not saying give us judgment tomorrow, we are only demanding a timetable,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Mr George will on Tuesday, October 8 lead a demonstration against the Chief Justice which will bring together religious and faith-based coalitions, civil society organisations among others.
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Listen to Sam George in the video above