Ghana's Supreme Court clears path for anti-LGBT law amid human rights concerns
Ghana’s Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed legal challenges against a controversial anti-LGBT bill, clearing the way for President Nana Akufo-Addo to sign it into law. The legislation, among Africa’s strictest, criminalises promoting LGBT rights, despite warnings it could jeopardise billions in international financing.
Ghana's Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed two separate cases challenging the legality of one of Africa's most restrictive pieces of anti-LGBT legislation, paving the way for the president to sign it into law.
The West African nation's parliament unanimously approved the bill in February. It increases a crackdown on the rights of LGBT people and those promoting lesbian, gay or other non-conventional sexual or gender identities.
However, President Nana Akufo-Addo delayed signing it pending the challenges filed at the Supreme Court.
Amanda Odoi and Richard Sky, both lawyers, filed separate challenges to the bill, seeking to declare it illegal and prevent the president from signing it.
Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, 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".
Lawyers for Odoi and Sky told Reuters they were disappointed by the ruling and would examine their options after studying the full judgment.
A coalition of Christian, Muslim, and Ghanaian traditional leaders sponsored the legislation.
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