Ghanaian court delays ruling on anti-LGBTQI+ law

Ghana's Supreme Court has postponed consideration of a bill aimed at the LGBTQI+ community, specifically removing it from the agenda ahead of the presidential election campaign.

On Wednesday, July 17, the court postponed further proceedings in the case without setting a new hearing date. This means the controversial bill, which has already sparked two lawsuits challenging its passage, will not be debated during the December campaign, Pink News reported.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, finishing his second term, has so far refused to sign the bill, citing legal issues. The Ministry of Finance warned him of possible economic consequences, including the loss of up to $3.8 billion in World Bank funding, which could impact Ghana's economic recovery.

The bill, known as the Sexual Human Rights and Family Values Act, was unanimously approved by the country's parliament in February.

Homosexual relations have been illegal in the West African country since colonialism and were called "unnatural carnal relations", but the new law provides for up to three years in prison for anyone who simply identifies as LGBTQI+.

Those who create or finance “LGBT groups” face up to 5 years in prison, and for those who advocate for LGBTQI+ minors, the punishment is even more severe – up to 10 years in prison.

Amnesty International Ghana director Genevieve Partington described the bill's initial passage as a "shocking and deeply disappointing" development for the country.