LIVE: Parliament grills Barker-Vormawor over bribery allegation
Ghana's anti-LGBTQ bill to see the light of day as court 'corners' Akufo-Addo after suit dismissal
Ghana's anti-LGBTQ bill to see the light of day as court 'corners' Akufo-Addo after suit dismissal
By: Nii Ammui Fio | 2 mins read
Ghana’s controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely known as the anti-LGBTQ bill, is set to move closer to becoming law after the Supreme Court dismissed a legal challenge filed against it.
A seven-member panel of the court, led by Justice Lovelace Avril Johnson, unanimously threw out the petition by broadcast journalist and lawyer Richard Dela Sky, who questioned the constitutionality of the bill's passage.
Sky, alongside gender activist Dr. Amanda Odoi and law lecturer Prince Obiri-Korang, argued that Parliament failed to meet quorum requirements under Articles 102 and 104 of the Constitution during the bill’s passage in February 2024.
However, the Supreme Court ruled that the bill had not yet become law as it still awaited presidential assent, making any judicial review premature. Justice Lovelace Johnson clarified that a bill cannot be subject to constitutional scrutiny until it is signed by the President.
With the court’s decision clearing a major legal hurdle, pressure has intensified on President Nana Akufo-Addo to assent to the bill, which seeks to criminalize LGBTQI+ activities and their promotion.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has been vocal in urging the President to act swiftly, revealing that he has instructed the Clerk of Parliament to transmit the bill for assent. Speaking at a media briefing on November 7, Bagbin accused both the Presidency and the Judiciary of constitutional breaches over delays in finalizing the bill.
The dismissal of the suit has sparked renewed debate, with opponents rallying under the trending social media hashtag #ReadTheBill and international bodies raising concerns about human rights infringements.
Despite the opposition, the bill enjoys widespread support among Ghanaians, and with the court's ruling, it now stands on the brink of becoming law, awaiting only the President's signature.
Some other states such as Kenya, Namibia, Niger, Tanzania and Uganda have taken steps to tighten their anti-homosexuality laws.
