The Judicial Service of Ghana (JSG) has addressed recent media reports regarding a planned protest by the sponsors of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, commonly known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.

The protest, dubbed the "Family Values March," is scheduled for September 17, 2024, and is aimed at the Chief Justice.

The protest was announced by the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, who is one of the bill's sponsors.

The MP expressed frustration over the Supreme Court's decision on July 17, 2024, to defer ruling on an interlocutory injunction that sought to prevent Parliament from transmitting the bill to the President for assent.

The MP described this deferral as a "deliberate and malicious attempt by the Chief Justice to delay the passage of the bill into law." In response, the Judicial Service of Ghana provided an update on the two constitutional cases related to the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill currently before the Supreme Court.

The first case, initiated by Richard Sky, and the second case, filed by Dr.

Amanda Odoi, both involve applications for interlocutory injunctions to restrain Parliament from transmitting the bill to the President.

The Supreme Court, after hearing the applications on multiple dates, decided to defer its decision, stating that the matters raised could be better addressed through an early trial.

The court emphasised that an early trial would provide a clearer view of the constitutional issues at hand.

The Judicial Service clarified that the delay in hearing the cases is due to procedural requirements.

Specifically, the defendants in both cases have not yet filed their Statements of Case, which are necessary for the trial to proceed.

The Judicial Service assured the public that the registries of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and High Courts remain open to receive all necessary filings, and that the judiciary is prepared to adjudicate any matter ready for hearing.

The Judicial Service's statement aims to provide transparency and reassure stakeholders of the judiciary's commitment to justice and due process.