Parliament dragged to Supreme Court over controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill

A journalist and private legal practitioner, Richard Dela Sky, has filed a lawsuit against Parliament over the passage of the Anti-LGBTQ+ bill.

The suit, which is currently before the apex court, seeks a declaration that the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-gay bill, is null, void, and of no effect.

It will be recalled that Parliament, in early February 2024, approved a custodial sentence of three to five years for any willful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities.

Those caught engaging in LGBTQ+ activities are to face a minimum sentence of six months and a maximum of three years.

The passage of the bill has triggered reactions from some of Ghana’s Development Partners, International Financial Institutions and CSOs in the country.

The latest action by the private legal practitioner argued that the bill’s passage violates several articles of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, raising concerns about potential infringements on fundamental human rights and freedoms.

Specifically, he contends that the Speaker of Parliament contravened constitutional provisions by allowing the bill to proceed with seemingly no hesitation.

In his writ, Mr Sky requested the apex court to restrain President Nana Akufo-Addo from assenting to the bill, asserting that such action would violate constitutional safeguards.

Additionally, he seeks an injunction against enforcing provisions of the bill criminalizing same-sex relationships and related advocacy efforts.