Fatshimétrie is an online magazine that covers a wide range of topics, from culture to sport to international news. Recently, a court in Ghana dismissed a legal challenge to President Nana Akufo-Addo’s decision on the anti-LGBTQ bill.
In February, lawmakers passed legislation aimed at strengthening oversight of LGBTQ rights. They want Akufo-Addo to formalize this law. However, the president preferred to wait until two legal cases related to the project were completed before taking a position. This decision displeased some members of parliament.
An MP, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, challenged this postponement in court. But the court rejected his request on Monday. Justice Ellen Lordina Serwaa Mireku ruled that it was not appropriate to compel Akufo-Addo to act on a bill that was the subject of two court proceedings.
The context in Ghana is already restrictive for the LGBTQ community, since same-sex relations are illegal and punishable by prison sentences of up to three years. If this new law is passed, the penalties could be even harsher, making the lives of LGBTQ people and their allies even more difficult.
Some supporters of the law want it to be signed into law, but this could have knock-on effects on the Ghanaian economy. The finance ministry has warned that the country risks losing billions in funding from the World Bank and IMF.
Reacting to the rejection of his challenge, Dafeamekpor said he was disappointed: “We believe in equal rights for all Ghanaians, and this postponement is unfair.”
This standoff over the anti-LGBTQ bill in Ghana demonstrates the tensions between individual rights and traditional societal values. While some defend the country’s morality and culture, others advocate for respect and inclusion of all sexual orientations. This situation highlights the importance of debate and the search for compromise for the balance between diverse perspectives within an ever-changing society.