Ghana’s supreme court upholds anti-LGBTQ bill

Ghana’s supreme court has upheld the legality of the controversial anti-LGBTQ bill passed earlier in February.

Although gay sex was already punishable by up to three years in prison in Ghana, the new bill imposes a prison sentence of up to five years for the “wilful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities”.

The bill also proposes a jail term of up to 10 years for anyone involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy campaigns aimed at children and encourages the public to report members of the queer community to authorities for “necessary action”.

Western nations and multilateral institutions described the law as “draconian”.

Amanda Odoi, a researcher, and Richard Dela-Sky, a journalist, filed two separate cases challenging the bill.

But Avril Lovelace-Johnson, a judge from the seven-member panel court, said in the televised ruling that the cases were premature.

“Until there’s presidential assent, there is no act,” she said, adding the two cases were “unanimously dismissed”.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose term ends January 7, has not confirmed if he will sign the bill into law.

He had previously said he would do so if the majority of Ghanaians wanted him to. The court cases also afforded him more time to contemplate his decision as he noted that he would wait for the court’s verdict.

President-elect John Mahama, on the other hand, has voiced support for the bill.