Advocates of Ghana Anti-Gay Bill Plan Protest Over Delays in Supreme Court Ruling

Advocates of the Ghana Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the Anti-Gay Bill, have scheduled a peaceful protest walk to Ghana’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. The protest aims to address delays in the bill’s determination, which has been pending since Parliament passed it on February 28, 2024.

Protestors, including various religious groups and stakeholders, will gather at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra before marching to present a petition to the Attorney General and Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkonoo. Originally planned two months ago, the walk is a response to the Supreme Court’s decision on July 17, 2024, to delay rulings on anti-gay cases until related legal matters are resolved.

The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act, 2024, criminalizes LGBTQ+ activities, as well as their promotion, advocacy, and funding.

Penalties include prison sentences ranging from 6 months to 3 years for individuals, and 3 to 5 years for promoters and sponsors of LGBTQ+ activities.

Legal challenges have since emerged, with private legal practitioners Richard Dela Sky and Gender Activist Dr. Amanda Odoi filing suits to annul the bill. University of Ghana law lecturer Prince Obiri-Korang has also initiated legal action to overturn the law.

The fate of the bill remains uncertain, with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yet to sign it into law amid growing international pressure and concerns about its impact on Ghana’s economy.

The bill, first introduced in 2021, continues to stir debate, with proponents advocating for the protection of traditional family values and opponents condemning it as a violation of human rights.

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