Ghana’s Supreme Court Dismisses Challenges to Anti-LGBT Bill.

Ghana’s Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed two legal challenges to the country’s controversial anti-LGBT bill, which has faced widespread criticism from rights groups and international organizations. The ruling removes a key hurdle to the bill becoming law.

The legislation, passed earlier this year by Ghanaian lawmakers, proposes harsh penalties for LGBT individuals and groups. It prescribes up to three years in prison for people identifying as LGBT and up to five years for those who form or fund LGBT organizations. The bill has been labeled one of the most draconian anti-LGBT laws in Africa and has drawn condemnation from the United Nations and other human rights bodies.

The legal challenges were filed by Amanda Odoi and Richard Dela-Sky, who argued that the bill was unconstitutional and sought to prevent President Nana Akufo-Addo from signing it into law. However, the president delayed his assent, stating that he would wait for the Supreme Court’s decision on the matter.

After months of deliberation, the Supreme Court ruled that it could not review the case as the bill had not yet been signed into law. Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, delivering the court’s unanimous decision, explained, “Until there’s presidential assent, there is no act.” The two challenges were therefore dismissed on procedural grounds.

Lawyers for Ms. Odoi and Mr. Dela-Sky expressed disappointment with the ruling, indicating that they would review the full judgment and explore further legal options.

The decision has left Ghana’s LGBT community in a state of heightened fear and uncertainty. Already facing limited rights, activists warn that the bill’s eventual enactment would significantly worsen the situation for LGBT individuals in the country.

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