The Supreme Court of Ghana has upheld a six-decade-old law that criminalizes same-sex sexual acts as the country awaits another court decision on a new bill proposing even harsher penalties.
A seven-member panel dismissed a lawsuit challenging the law, with presiding Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie stating that reasons for the decision will be provided later.
The Ghanaian Criminal Code of 1960 prohibits same-sex sexual acts, labeling them as “unnatural carnal knowledge.” Offenders can face up to three years in jail.
Penalties could become more severe if the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, passed in February, takes effect. This bill would increase sentences and intensify government crackdowns on those accused of promoting lesbian, gay, or other minority sexual or gender identities.
Earlier this month, the court postponed its ruling on whether the bill should be transmitted to President Nana Akufo-Addo for approval, pending a determination of the bill’s constitutionality.
Law lecturer Prince Obiri-Korang, who challenged the 1960 code in 2021, argued that it breached the constitutional right to privacy.
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