Supreme Court Dismisses Suits Challenging Anti-Gay Bill, Clears Path For Legislative Process

The Supreme Court of Ghana has dismissed two lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of Parliament’s passage of the controversial Anti-Gay Bill. The ruling, delivered unanimously by a seven-member panel led by Justice Lovelace Avril Johnson, stated that the suits failed to properly invoke the court’s jurisdiction to interpret and enforce the Constitution.

The Anti-Gay Bill, officially known as the Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, has been a subject of heated national debate. The bill seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ advocacy activities and impose penalties on individuals or groups that promote or fund such initiatives. While proponents argue that the bill is necessary to safeguard Ghanaian cultural and family values, critics, including human rights organizations, have strongly opposed it, citing concerns about violations of fundamental human rights.

In its decision, the court underscored that the bill is not yet law, as it still requires presidential assent to be enacted. Justice Johnson clarified that until the president signs the bill into law, it cannot be subjected to judicial review for constitutionality. This ruling effectively allows the legislative process for the bill to proceed without further legal obstacles for now.

The dismissal of the lawsuits has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters of the bill see the ruling as a triumph for Ghanaian cultural values, while opponents fear it signals a step toward increased discrimination and persecution of the LGBTQ+ community.

As the debate over the bill continues, it remains a focal point in the broader conversation about the balance between human rights and cultural values in Ghana.