Ghana’s Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed two legal challenges against the country’s new anti-LGBT legislation. The law, passed earlier this year, imposes prison sentences of up to three years for individuals identifying as LGBT and five years for those forming or funding LGBT groups.
The bill, widely criticized by human rights organizations and the UN, has caused fear within Ghana’s LGBT community. Activists Amanda Odoi and Richard Dela-Sky filed separate challenges, urging the court to declare the law illegal and prevent President Nana Akufo-Addo from signing it into law. However, the court ruled that the case could not be reviewed until the president’s assent, which the judges stated was necessary for the law to take effect.
Odoi and Dela-Sky’s lawyers expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling and are considering further action. The proposed legislation, which has garnered support from both of Ghana’s main political parties, remains highly controversial.
