Speaker of Parliament Faces Contempt Citation Over LGBTQI+ Bill.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has been cited for contempt in relation to the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, commonly known as the LGBTQI+ Bill. Dr. Amanda Odoi, a researcher, has filed a petition, alleging that the Speaker has demonstrated disdain and contempt for court processes.
Dr. Odoi argues that the respondent, Speaker Bagbin, has continuously violated and disregarded both the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the court process. According to her, the Speaker’s clear and intentional disregard for the court process necessitates appropriate sanctions for contempt in the public interest and to uphold the dignity of the Court.
Dr. Odoi is one of two citizens who have taken legal action against the Speaker of Parliament and the Attorney General concerning the anti-LGBTQI+ bill. The citizens claim that the provisions of Article 108 of the 1992 Constitution were not adhered to when the Bill was initially introduced in Parliament. Their lawsuit seeks to restrain the Speaker, his deputies, assigns, agents, and privies from further advancing the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021.
On June 29, 2023, Parliament convened with the expectation of a second reading of the anti-LGBTQI+ Bill, but the bill did not appear on the order paper. Similarly, on June 27, 2023, the bill was absent from the order paper. Previously, the Speaker of Parliament, through a statement read by the First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu, instructed the Business Committee to schedule the Bill on the order paper to allow for its second reading, which did not occur.
Dr. Odoi asserts that despite serving the Speaker with all relevant court documents, including an injunction application to halt Parliament’s consideration of the law, the Speaker proceeded with the second reading of the Bill. She argues that Speaker Bagbin’s actions, knowingly proceeding with the Bill while being aware of the pending lawsuit and injunction application, demonstrate a disregard and lack of respect for the authority of the Court.
Dr. Odoi further highlights that such disregard undermines the outcome of the ongoing litigation, brings the administration of justice into disrepute, and erodes public confidence in the judicial system.
