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Supreme Court defers ruling on injunction applications on anti-LGBTQ Bill
The Supreme Court has deferred the ruling on the injunction application by Dr Amanda Odoi and Broadcast Journalist, Richard Sky to the transmission of the anti-LGBTQ bill to the President and rather deliver the ruling on the same day the final judgement will be given.
The five-member panel, chaired by Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo stated that the court has thus agreed to make an early trial into the case as that will better serve the purpose of Justice.
The ruling on the two injunction application was delivered separately by the Supreme Court. The case has since been adjourned sine die.
The two lawsuits filed by Broadcast Journalist, Richard Dela Sky, and Researcher, Dr Amanda Odoi are against Parliament’s passage of the controversial anti-gay bill.
Mr Sky is challenging the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, and he is seeking a declaration that the bill passed by Parliament breaches several provisions of the 1992 constitution and violates the country’s laws and the fundamental human rights guaranteed by the constitution.
Dr Odoi has raised concerns about specific provisions in the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.
She is also seeking a restraining order to prevent the Speaker, the Attorney General, and the Clerk of Parliament from sending the bill to President Akufo-Addo for his approval.
At the last hearing Counsel for Amanda Odoi, Dr Ernest Ackon, argued that the bill, if approved, imposes a direct charge on public funds, violating Article 108. He also pointed out the lack of a fiscal impact analysis before the bill was sent to the President.
The Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, the second respondent, argued that the Speaker’s discretion is not unconstrained by the constitution, hence warranting the apex court’s decision on the injunction application
Plaintiff Dr. Amanda Odoi seeks an injunction to stop the Speaker from transmitting the bill to the President.
The first Defendant on the case led by Counsel for the Speaker of Parliament Thaddeus Sory on his part, argued that the claims of the applicant regarding the need for a fiscal impact analysis were not supported by the constitution especially when the bill did not expressly say it will impose a charge on the consolidated fund.
According to him, the substance of the interlocutory injunction was not significantly different from a previous one filed by the plaintiffs and dismissed by the courts
He further argued that the transmission of the bill from the Speaker of Parliament to the President for him to assent is still an ongoing process that hasn’t been completed and, hence wasn’t within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to deliberate on the matter.
He called on the court to dismiss the application before the bench.
The Supreme Court, chaired by Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkonoo, is currently hearing the Richard Dela Sky case.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
News
MOTCCA, GTA advance trade partnerships and promotes Black Star Experience During U.S. Trade Mission
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts and Ghana Tourism Authority has concluded a successful trade and investment mission to the United States, with official visits to Memphis, Tennessee, Detroit Michigan and Columbus, Ohio aimed at strengthening economic ties, forging strategic partnerships, showcasing tourism and the Black Star Experience.
The delegation was led by the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Yussif Jajah, and included Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto, CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Ben Anane-Nsiah, Deputy CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, and Ms. Annabelle McKenzie, Director of the International Affairs Secretariat of the Ghana Tourism Authority.
At the core of the mission was the goal of establishing and expanding trade and investment relationships across key U.S. cities. The delegation met with a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, private sector leaders, business chambers, universities, and cultural organizations to position Ghana as a viable hub for international investment, tourism and trade across diverse sectors, including real estate, manufacturing, education, creative industries, and hospitality.
In Memphis, the delegation was hosted by the Mayor’s Office in partnership with GUBA (Grow, Unite, Build Africa).
The visit built on the momentum from the 2022 Memphis in May International Festival, when Ghana was the honored country and a sister-city agreement was signed.
Discussions focused on expanding this partnership, particularly in the areas of trade, tourism promotion, and education. Notably, the University of Memphis, which enrolls over 200 Ghanaian students, was highlighted as a key partner in fostering academic and cultural exchange.
In Detroit, the delegation engaged with both diaspora and non-diaspora stakeholders around investment collaboration. City and business leaders expressed strong interest in working with Ghana on initiatives in real estate development, entertainment and culture.
Plans are underway to organize a Ghana Cultural Fair in Detroit to celebrate Ghana’s heritage while promoting economic opportunities. In Columbus, Ohio, where Ghana remains the only country with a sister-city relationship, the delegation was welcomed by the Mayor of Columbus.
The meetings focused on trade, with stakeholders emphasizing a shared commitment to expanding business and exchanges between Ghana and Columbus-based institutions and investors.
Ghana recognizes the vital role that the global African diaspora plays in national development and continues to champion reconnection efforts. The delegation engaged the diaspora “Ghana is committed to creating meaningful pathways for the diaspora to return, not just for visits, but to invest, to collaborate, and to contribute.
Through the Black Star Experience, we invite our brothers and sisters across the globe to reconnect with their roots while becoming active participants in Ghana’s future.”
The Black Star Experience serves as a unifying platform, welcoming global Africans and partners alike to engage with Ghana through heritage tourism, cultural exchange, and economic opportunity for both diaspora and non-diaspora stakeholders looking to connect with Ghana,” said Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto.
Next steps in international outreach include upcoming missions to New Orleans, New York, Washington, D.C., and other key cities across the U.S., as part of ongoing efforts to promote tourism, investment, cultural exchange, and global collaboration under the Black Star Experience.
News
Ghana and Germany Force Strategic Health Alliance
The Ministry of Health has engaged with representatives from INZAG Germany and the German Embassy in a strategic meeting aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in the health sector.
The delegation, led by the German Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Müller Manuel, and officials from INZAG, met with the Minister for Health,
Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to discuss key areas of partnership, including infrastructure development and health professional migration pathways.
The meeting highlighted Germany’s growing interest in investing in Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure as part of a broader commitment to strengthening health systems across the African continent.
The discussions also focused significantly on Germany’s interest in engaging qualified Ghanaian healthcare professionals through government-to-government cooperation. Both parties explored the possibility of establishing a formal framework that would allow trained Ghanaian medical personnel to access employment opportunities in Germany under ethical and mutually beneficial terms.
Mr. Akandoh emphasized the importance of ensuring that any such migration programme aligns with Ghana’s national workforce planning strategy and includes safeguards to prevent negative impacts on local healthcare delivery.
“This collaboration must be built on reciprocity, skills development, and long-term benefits for both nations,” he stated.
The Minister expressed optimism about future engagements and extended his appreciation to the German government and INZAG for their continued interest in supporting the development of Ghana’s health sector.
Mr. Diogo Serra, the Commercial Director for INZAG, a leading German firm specializing in healthcare construction and systems engineering, reiterated the firm’s readiness to partner with the Ministry of Health to develop sustainable and modern healthcare facilities across the country.
Further technical meetings have been scheduled to develop a comprehensive roadmap for implementation.
