The anti-LGBTQ+ bill proceedings at the High Court today, Monday, June 03, 2024, would be open to the media for coverage.
The Chief Justice had previously allowed proceedings on the Richard Sky’s injunction application for media coverage but has now extended access to all cases related to the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
The decision follows a plea from the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, to the Chief Justice to allow proceedings on all cases related to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill to be carried live.
The A-G cited significant public interest as his reason for the request in a letter to the Chief Justice.
“Respectfully, in view of the public interest in the cases concerning the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2024 (the Bill) I would like to recommend that the media (including radio and television) be given full access to the relevant courts to undertake coverage of all proceedings in those cases concerning the Bill,” he wrote.
“It is my respectful view that the transparency to be engendered by a coverage of the proceedings would be in the best interest of the administration of justice,” Mr. Dame added.
He specifically mentioned cases in both the Supreme Court and High Court that would address the legality of the bill.
Four cases are currently being heard on the anti-gay bill at the Supreme and High Courts with each handling two.
One of the High Court cases is scheduled to be heard later today in the General Jurisdiction 8 courtroom.
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