Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Anti-LGBTQI Bill Suit

In a significant development, Ghana’s Supreme Court has dismissed a preliminary objection raised by the lawyer representing Parliament Speaker Thaddeus Sory in a lawsuit challenging the anti-LGBTQI bill. This paves the way for the case to proceed.

Ghanaian journalist Richard Sky and researcher Dr. Amanda Odoi filed separate lawsuits against the anti-LGBTQI bill, which has been highly controversial in the country.

During Wednesday’s court hearing, which was televised live, Sky’s lawyers sought to amend one of the reliefs (requests for specific actions) included in their injunction motion.

Thaddeus Sory’s lawyer objected to the amendment, arguing that his previous filings already raised concerns about how the relief was formulated. He argued that allowing the amendment would undermine his objection.

After considering the arguments, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkoornoo, dismissed the objection. The Court’s reasoning focused on two key points:

• Every party has the right to present their case in the most appropriate way for the court to consider the core issues.
• The Speaker’s objection was deemed unnecessary and did not contribute meaningfully to the legal process.
• Chief Justice Torkoornoo further criticized the objection, stating that it wasted the court’s time and resources.

With the objection dismissed, the stage is set for the court to hear the merits of the lawsuits filed by Sky and Odoi. The focus will shift to the arguments presented by both sides regarding the constitutionality of the anti-LGBTQI bill.

This ruling is a crucial step in the legal challenge against the anti-LGBTQI bill. It allows the court to delve into the substance of the case and determine whether the bill violates Ghana’s constitution.

The outcome of this case will have significant implications for LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana and will be closely watched by the nation and the international community.