The Ghanaian Supreme Court has deferred its ruling on a request to prevent parliament from sending a controversial anti-LGBTQ bill to President Nana Akufo-Addo for final approval.
This means the debate around the bill, which has been a major topic in Ghana since its passage in February, will not be part of the upcoming presidential election campaign.
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo stated that the court will expedite the case, but no new date has been set for further rulings.
Ghana’s Attorney-General, Godfred Dame, welcomed the court’s decision, saying “I think the court is fair in coming by that approach.”
Two lawsuits are challenging the passage of the “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill,” which has been criticized internationally for curbing human rights. Broadcaster Richard Dela Sky is questioning the bill’s constitutionality, while Amanda Odoi seeks a restraining order to stop the bill from being sent to the president.
The proposed legislation imposes jail terms of up to three years for engaging in LGBTQ sex and up to five years for promoting or sponsoring LGBTQ activities. It has been condemned by rights activists but has strong support in the conservative West African country.
Ghana’s finance ministry has warned that the bill could lead to a loss of about $3.8 billion in World Bank financing, especially as the country is emerging from an economic crisis and is under an IMF loan program.
President Akufo-Addo, who is stepping down after two terms, has not approved the bill due to the ongoing court cases against it.
The bill has faced international condemnation, but it has significant support among Ghanaian MPs and is backed by a coalition of Christian, Muslim, and traditional leaders.
