Ghana’s Supreme Court Schedules Hearing for Anti-Gay Bill Challenge

Ghana’s Supreme Court has scheduled Wednesday, July 3, 2024, to hear an application filed by broadcast journalist and private legal practitioner Richard Dela Sky against Parliament’s passage of the controversial anti-gay bill.

Mr. Sky is challenging the constitutionality of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, seeking a declaration that the bill passed by Parliament breaches several provisions of the 1992 constitution and violates the country’s laws and fundamental human rights guaranteed by the constitution.

The notice of hearing, issued by the registrar of the Supreme Court, Her Honour Ellen Ofei-Ayeh, is dated June 14, 2024. It is addressed to Richard Sky, Cudjoe Arthur Chambers (lawyer for the applicant), the Speaker of Parliament, Thaddeus Sory (lawyer for the Speaker), and the Attorney General.

“Take notice that the above-mentioned case has been fixed for Wednesday the 3rd day of July 2024 at 9:30 am for hearing. If the case is called and you do not appear to answer, the Court will proceed to hear same without you,” the hearing notice read.

Mr. Sky’s case is one of four cases filed at the Supreme Court and the High Court against the passage of the anti-gay bill.

On Tuesday, May 28, 2024, the Judicial Service granted permission to the media to cover live all court proceedings concerning the controversial “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill 2024,” also known as the “Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.” A communiqué issued by the Judicial Service confirmed that the media (including radio and television) will have “full access to the relevant courts to undertake a coverage of all proceedings in those cases concerning the Bill.”

This move comes in response to the widespread public interest surrounding the legislation.

Amanda Odoi and Richard Dela Sky are challenging the bill’s passage directly at the Supreme Court, while Paul Boama-Sefa and Prince Obiri-Korang have filed separate cases in the High Court.