The Supreme Court of Ghana has indefinitely adjourned debate on the controversial “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill,” which has been a focal point in the country’s political discourse since its passage by parliament in February. Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, chairing the five-member panel, assured that the court would expedite the case, but no date has been set for further rulings.
Ghana’s Attorney-General Godfred Dame welcomed the court’s decision, stating, “I think the court is fair in coming by that approach.”
Two lawsuits are challenging the bill, which has received widespread international criticism for curbing human rights. Broadcaster Richard Dela Sky contests the bill’s constitutionality, arguing it violates several provisions of the 1992 Constitution. Amanda Odoi, the other plaintiff, seeks a restraining order to prevent the bill from being sent to President Nana Akufo-Addo for approval.
The bill proposes jail terms of six months to three years for engaging in LGBTQ activities and sentences of three to five years for promoting or sponsoring LGBTQ events. Despite condemnation from rights activists, it has garnered substantial support in the conservative West African nation.
The finance ministry has warned that the bill could jeopardize nearly $3.8 billion in World Bank financing, crucial for Ghana as it navigates its worst economic crisis in decades under a $3 billion loan program from the International Monetary Fund.
President Akufo-Addo, who is stepping down after two terms, has refused to approve the bill, citing ongoing court cases. His ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) faces a tight race against the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the upcoming December presidential election.
The bill, often referred to as the anti-gay bill, has faced international condemnation, including from the United Nations, the United States, and the British government. Nevertheless, it has significant support among MPs and is backed by a coalition of Christian, Muslim, and Ghanaian traditional leaders.
