In a significant blow to the LGBTQ community in Africa, Ghana’s Supreme Court has dismissed two cases challenging the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, paving the way for the president to sign the highly controversial bill into law.
The ruling marks a key step toward the enactment of what is considered one of the continent’s most restrictive anti-LGBTQ laws. All seven judges on the Supreme Court panel rejected petitions filed by broadcast journalist and lawyer Richard Dela Sky and academic Amanda Odoi, who had sought to block the bill.
The bill, passed by Ghana’s lawmakers earlier this year, criminalizes same-sex relationships, with penalties of up to three years in prison for individuals identifying as LGBT, and five years for those involved in forming or supporting LGBT groups.
President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose term ends in January, had delayed signing the bill pending the outcome of the Supreme Court challenge. However, the court ruled that the case could only be reviewed once the bill had been signed into law.
Despite international criticism from human rights organizations and the United Nations, the bill has garnered support from Ghana’s political leadership, including opposition leader and incoming president, John Mahama.
Odoi and Sky expressed their disappointment with the court’s decision and indicated they would review their options after studying the full judgment. If the bill becomes law, further legal challenges are anticipated.