A seven-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Lovelace Avril Johnson, has unanimously dismissed a petition filed by broadcast journalist and lawyer Richard Dela Sky, challenging the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely known as the anti-LGBTQ bill.
The decision paves the way for President Nana Akufo-Addo to assent to the controversial bill, which seeks to criminalize LGBTQI+ activities and their promotion. Parliament passed the bill in February 2024, but its transmission to the President was delayed due to lawsuits challenging its legality.
Richard Sky, alongside gender activist Dr. Amanda Odoi and law lecturer Prince Obiri-Korang, argued that Parliament failed to meet quorum requirements outlined in Articles 102 and 104 of the Constitution during the bill’s passage, rendering it unconstitutional.
However, the Supreme Court dismissed the petitions, clarifying that a bill cannot be subject to judicial review until it receives presidential assent. Justice Lovelace Johnson emphasized that, under the law, the bill remains incomplete legislation until signed by the President.
The ruling has intensified calls on President Akufo-Addo to sign the bill into law, with Speaker Alban Bagbin leading the charge. Addressing the media on November 7, Bagbin revealed that he had instructed the Clerk of Parliament to transmit the bill to the President for assent, accusing both the Presidency and Judiciary of constitutional violations in delaying the process.
The President’s earlier hesitation was influenced by the Attorney-General’s advice and legal challenges, but with the court’s decision, pressure has mounted for swift action.
Meanwhile, opponents of the bill continue to rally under the social media trend #ReadTheBill, while international bodies raise concerns about potential human rights violations.
Don’t just take our word for it! #ReadTheBill and make your own informed decisions. Together, we can create a more transparent future.
pic.twitter.com/6AA7P1jvhB— Formula🌵 (@1realFormula) December 12, 2024
With the majority of Ghanaians backing the bill, all eyes are now on President Akufo-Addo as he prepares to take a decisive step on the contentious legislation.
