Ningo-Prampram Member of Parliament, Sam Nartey George, has called out Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo for what he describes as the arbitrary and capricious handling of the ongoing legal challenge surrounding the anti-LGBTQ bill.

Sam George's frustration stems from the delay in ruling on injunction applications that are blocking the transmission of the controversial Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill to President Nana Akufo-Addo for assent.

Addressing the media, Sam George did not mince words, accusing the Chief Justice of abusing her authority under Article 296 of the Constitution.

He expressed his disappointment with how long the case has been drawn out.

"It is an abuse of her powers under Article 296 of the constitution. She is acting arbitrarily, capriciously, and maliciously. We will take her on for that," Sam George declared.

Initially, supporters of the anti-LGBTQ bill had planned a protest for August 21, 2024, to express their dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court's delay. However, the demonstration has been rescheduled to September 21, 2024.

The controversy stems from the court’s postponement of its decision on the injunction applications filed by Broadcast Journalist Richard Dela Sky and Researcher Dr. Amanda Odoi.

The pair seeks to prevent the bill from being forwarded to the President. The Chief Justice, who presides over a five-member panel, has stated that the court will issue its ruling on the injunction applications together with its final judgment, indicating that an expedited trial is in the best interest of justice.

Public interest has surged as the Supreme Court navigates legal arguments from both sides. Richard Dela Sky's challenge questions the bill's constitutionality, suggesting it infringes on fundamental rights enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.

Meanwhile, Dr. Amanda Odoi’s concerns center on the bill's lack of a fiscal impact analysis, raising potential conflicts with Article 108 of the Constitution.

In defense of Parliament's actions, Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame argued that the Speaker of Parliament acted within his constitutional authority when transmitting the bill to the President, asserting that no additional fiscal evaluation was necessary beyond what the bill itself mandates.

Thaddeus Sory, representing the Speaker of Parliament, echoed similar sentiments, asserting that the legislative process is still ongoing and therefore not subject to premature interference by the Supreme Court. He contended that until the President signs the bill into law, it remains outside the court’s jurisdiction.

The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ bill, was passed by Parliament on February 28, 2024, after a three-year-long journey through legislative processes. However, it remains in legal limbo until the court resolves the ongoing case and clears the way for its potential signing into law.