Written by Lisa Murimi
Ghana’s Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed two legal challenges against the controversial anti-LGBT legislation, clearing the way for its potential enactment.
Rights groups have heavily criticized the bill, which imposes severe penalties, including three years’ imprisonment for identifying as LGBT and five years for forming or funding LGBT organizations.
The legislation, dubbed the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, has sparked widespread condemnation from the United Nations and international human rights defenders.
Despite opposition, it received bipartisan support in parliament.
The court ruled that it could not review the case until President Nana Akufo-Addo signs the bill into law.
“Until there’s presidential assent, there is no act,” stated Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson.
President Akufo-Addo, whose term ends on January 7, has not disclosed his intentions, though opposition leader John Mahama has pledged support for the bill.
Activists warn that even without the bill’s enactment, the LGBT community faces heightened discrimination.
“This formalism endangers lives,” said Abena Takyiwaa Manuh of the Centre for Democratic Governance.
The bill also poses economic risks, with Ghana potentially losing $3.8 billion in World Bank funding. If signed into law, further legal challenges are anticipated.
