Ghana’s Supreme Court upholds controversial anti-LGBTQ bill

In a significant legal development, Ghana’s Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the contentious anti-LGBTQ bill that has sparked widespread debate across the nation.

The court rejected two separate bids to overturn the legislation, which was adopted by the country’s Members of Parliament earlier this year.

The bill, which severely restricts the rights of LGBTQ individuals, has been met with both support and fierce opposition. However, the court ruled that it would not intervene in the matter at this stage.

“Until there is presidential assent to the bill, there is no act of which the Supreme Court will use its supervisory jurisdiction to overturn,” stated Avril Lovelace-Johnson, head of the seven-member panel, as she delivered the judgment.

The ruling solidifies the current legal stance on the issue, leaving the fate of the bill dependent on presidential approval.

Critics of the bill argue that it infringes on human rights, while supporters see it as a necessary measure to protect cultural and moral values. The decision has further intensified the ongoing debate surrounding LGBTQ rights in Ghana.