Inusah Fuseini, the former Tamale Central MP, has stated that the bill on the Promotion of Proper Sexual Human Rights and Ghanaian Family Values, often known as the anti-LGBT bill will cause further issues if it becomes law.
The ex-lawmaker claimed that if the law is passed, every Ghanaian will likely become a security detail required to spy on others and report back to the government, which will cause a wide range of issues.
The bill’s description of unnatural carnal knowledge, according to Mr. Inusah Fuseini, is troubling, and there is already a statute that makes meddling in other people’s private issues illegal.
“As Africans, we have traditions and that is why LGBTQ+ is facing stiff opposition, and we see it as a cultural recolonization, a cultural imposition, and it is not African. And I have said that unnatural carnal knowledge is an inherently private matter.
“It is a private matter…And we are not concerned about what goes on in the four walls of your bedroom and that is why I said the bill is trying to create a police state. Why should we use state resources preying on people’s private affairs, when it is already an offense to do so?”
Inusah Fuseini
According to him, anyone who openly identifies as LGBTQ+ will not face discrimination; nevertheless, if that person acts in such behavior, law enforcement officials or concerned people will arrest them and send them to jail.
“And there is already a law dealing with that and the bill will introduce more problems for us because they say if you are in your house, you have the responsibility to ensure members of the household uphold proper family values.”
Inusah Fuseini
Supreme Court Dismisses Injunction Application Against Anti-Gay Bill
A request that the Supreme Court stop Parliament from considering the anti-gay bill was denied by a nine-member panel, led by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.
The court claimed that because the issues mentioned will be addressed in the substantive case, it is not persuaded to make such an order at this time.
This is the court’s ruling in a lawsuit brought by researcher Dr. Amanda Odoi who argued that the constitution was violated during the legislative process for the proposed bill. The legal representation for Dr. Odoi also retracted the charge of contempt brought against the Speaker of Parliament.
Dr. Odoi is one of two citizens who have filed lawsuits against the Attorney General and Speaker of Parliament over the Anti-LGBTQ+ Law.
According to her research, the Speaker of Parliament has received notice of all pertinent court documents, including one asking the judge to impose an injunction prohibiting parliament from considering the bill. However, she claimed that the Speaker oversaw the Bill’s passage to the Second Reading in Parliament, notwithstanding this.
On Wednesday, the court heard legal arguments over whether the case should be postponed. Although the Speaker of Parliament was not physically present, Thaddeus Sory was in charge of his legal team.
The first to address the court was Dr. Ernest Ako, the lead attorney for Dr. Odoi. He stressed that it was crucial for the court to halt the deliberation in parliament.
However, the court was informed by Chief State Attorney, Dr. Sylvia Aduse that Dr. Odoi’s legal counsel had failed to demonstrate how they would suffer or which of their rights should be preserved in the meantime.
Thaddeus Sory, an attorney for the Speaker, requested the court to deny the request. The panel led by the Chief Justice then declared there was no basis for issuing an injunction.
“We have considered the merits of this case and are of the considered view that a prima facie case has not been made to convince us to injunct the work of parliament.
“Neither have we been convinced to injunct an uncompleted work of parliament. The issues raised by this application for injunction are matters to be determined by the substantive matter. This application for an injunction is dismissed.”
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo
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