The Supreme Court has unanimously dismissed a legal challenge brought by broadcast journalist and lawyer Richard Delay Sky against the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, also known as the anti-gay bill. The seven-member panel, chaired by Justice Lovelace Avril Johnson, ruled that Sky’s petition lacked merit.
Sky sought a declaration that the bill was unconstitutional and therefore invalid. However, the court upheld the legislative process behind the proposed anti-LGBTQI bill, rejecting his claims.
The bill, which has sparked intense debate nationwide, seeks to criminalize activities related to LGBTQI advocacy. If passed into law, it would impose penalties on individuals who promote, fund, or indirectly support LGBTQI-related actions.
Supporters of the bill argue that it is essential to preserve Ghanaian cultural and family values, which they believe are being undermined by external influences. On the other hand, opponents, including human rights groups, consider the proposed legislation a violation of basic human rights, such as freedom of expression, association, and equality under the law.
The case also included a separate petition filed by equality advocate Amanda Odoi, who, along with Sky, argued that the legislative process failed to meet constitutional quorum requirements as outlined in Articles 102 and 104 of the 1992 Constitution. They claimed this rendered the bill’s passage unconstitutional.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court dismissed both petitions, stating that the bill could not be challenged at this stage since it had not yet been enacted into law. Justice Lovelace Johnson clarified that a bill is not subject to judicial review of its constitutionality until it receives presidential assent and becomes law.
Source: MyABCLive.com, sourced from Adomonline.com
