The Supreme Court of Ghana has upheld a long-standing law criminalizing same-sex relations, while the country awaits a separate court decision on potentially stricter penalties under a new bill.
A lawsuit challenging the law was dismissed by a seven-member panel, led by Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who indicated that detailed reasons for the decision would follow.
Under the Ghanaian Criminal Code of 1960, same-sex acts are deemed “unnatural carnal knowledge” and can result in up to three years imprisonment.
If approved, the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill passed in February could extend these penalties, alongside heightened measures against individuals accused of advocating for LGBTQ+ rights or identities.
Earlier this month, the court deferred a decision on whether to send the bill for President Nana Akufo-Addo’s approval, pending a determination of its constitutional validity.
In 2021, law lecturer Prince Obiri-Korang petitioned the apex court to strike down parts of the 1960 code, arguing it violated the right to privacy guaranteed by the constitution.
