The passage of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill is likely to be delayed as two new lawsuits have been filed against it.
Commonly referred to as the anti-gay bill, the legislation was anticipated to be included in the agenda for the upcoming week's sessions.
The bill was projected to undergo its second reading and be deliberated by the plenary, following its consideration by the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has been instilling optimism among proponents of the bill this week by indicating that it may be approved during this session.
During his visit to the northern region of Ghana, the former legislator expressed to reporters that he would rather die than witness the legalization of activities involving gays and lesbians.
"As for me, if all of you are going to partake in it, consider me absent from Ghana," stated the Speaker of Parliament during his tour commemorating 30 years of parliamentary democracy, addressing journalists.
"I would rather unite with my Creator than continue living. That is my stance. As a Catholic and advocate for life, I will not engage in any actions that would bring about the end of the world. God has proclaimed the world to be eternal until His return, and we cannot take actions to prematurely terminate it," expressed the individual, emphasizing their position.
Upon investigating the absence of the Bill from the upcoming week's agenda, Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram and one of the sponsors of the Private Member's Bill, discovered that two lawsuits had been filed against the Bill. One was filed at the High Court, and the other was filed at the Supreme Court.
First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu stated, "Regarding that particular Bill, there is a pending legal case in which Mr. Speaker has been included as a party."
"The Speaker has informed the leaders about the court action, so when it comes to deciding whether to include it in the schedule or not, I suggest you consult with the Speaker to determine the necessary steps to be taken before its inclusion," recommended First Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu.