On Monday, April 29, a court in Ghana dismissed a legal challenge against President Nana Akufo-Addo’s decision regarding the anti-LGBTQ bill. This bill, passed by lawmakers in February to tighten controls on LGBTQ rights, awaits official approval from the president. However, President Akufo-Addo has opted to delay his decision until two ongoing legal cases related to the bill conclude, which has caused dissatisfaction among some members of parliament.
One such lawmaker, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, took the matter to court seeking a resolution. However, the court ruled against his challenge on Monday.
Justice Ellen Lordina Serwaa Mireku stressed that it would be improper to compel President Akufo-Addo to act on a bill that is currently under scrutiny in two separate court cases.
Following the court’s decision, Dafeamekpor’s lawyer intends to file an appeal, signalling that the legal battle over the anti-LGBTQ bill in Ghana is far from over.
What is The law in Ghana?
Same-sex relations is against the law in Ghana and it attracts a jail term of up to three years. On passage of this bill, the punishment for such relations will increase thereby making it difficult for the LGBTQ community to thrive.
The downside is that upon passage of the bill, according to the country’s finance minister, the country could lose billions in financing from the World Bank and IMF; the fate that was meted out to Uganda when it made tough anti-LGBTQ laws in 2023.
