Ghana’s Supreme Court to rule on legality of controversial Anti-Gay Bill

The Supreme Court of Ghana is poised to deliver its judgment on two landmark lawsuits challenging the legality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-gay bill. The ruling, expected to have far-reaching implications for the nation’s legal and human rights landscape, follows months of heated public debate and political contention.

The anti-gay bill, widely supported by religious and traditional institutions but criticized by human rights organizations, seeks to criminalize activities related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) advocacy. If enacted, the bill will impose severe penalties on individuals who promote or fund LGBTQI activities, and even those providing indirect support to such initiatives could face criminal liability.

Proponents argue that the legislation is essential to protect Ghanaian cultural and family values from what they perceive as the encroachment of foreign ideologies. However, critics contend that the bill violates fundamental human rights, including freedoms of expression, association, and equality under the law.

The lawsuits, filed by journalist and lawyer Richard Dela Sky and equality advocate Amanda Odioi, question the constitutionality of the legislative process that led to the bill’s passage.

The plaintiffs argue that Parliament failed to meet the quorum requirements outlined in Articles 102 and 104 of the 1992 Constitution during the voting process for the bill. They contend that this procedural failure renders the legislative process unconstitutional and the bill null and void.

The case has sparked significant public interest, with both sides of the debate awaiting the Court’s decision, which is likely to set a precedent for similar legislative processes and human rights issues in the future.

Supporters of the bill, including prominent religious leaders and traditional authorities, view the Supreme Court’s impending decision as a litmus test for safeguarding Ghana’s moral and cultural values.

On the other hand, human rights advocates and international organizations argue that the bill infringes on universally recognized human rights principles, urging the Court to uphold constitutional protections.

As the nation awaits the verdict, the ruling is expected to either reaffirm Parliament’s authority in passing the contentious bill or strike it down on constitutional grounds. The outcome will undoubtedly influence the ongoing discourse on balancing cultural values with human rights in Ghana.

Stay tuned to Amnewsworld for updates on this developing story.