Ghana’s Supreme Court Dismisses Challenges To Anti-LGBTQ Bill
Ghana’s Supreme Court has rejected two attempts to block the controversial Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which significantly restricts the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) individuals.
The bill, approved by Ghana’s Parliament in February, has drawn international condemnation but enjoys strong support from the Ghanaian public. Provisions of the bill propose prison sentences ranging from six months to three years for individuals engaging in LGBTQ-related activities.
Despite parliamentary approval, the bill requires ratification by President Nana Akufo-Addo to become law. Akufo-Addo, who leaves office on January 7, previously stated he would await the Supreme Court’s ruling on the bill’s constitutionality before taking action.
Presiding over the seven-member panel, Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson dismissed the challenges, stating, “It will be premature for this court to exercise its interpretive and enforcement jurisdiction to intervene. Consequently, the action fails.” She clarified that without presidential assent, the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction to overturn the bill.
The legal challenges, brought by Ghanaian broadcaster Richard Dela-Sky and researcher Amanda Odoi, questioned the bill’s constitutionality.
The proposed legislation has faced sharp criticism from international organizations, including the United States. Ghana’s finance ministry has also warned of potential economic repercussions, including the loss of billions of dollars in World Bank funding, should the bill become law.
As the nation awaits the President’s decision, the debate over the bill continues to polarize public opinion and garner global attention.
