Ghana’s Supreme Court has upheld a law criminalizing anal sex and other forms of unnatural carnal knowledge, declaring it constitutional. The ruling applies to both heterosexuals and homosexuals, maintaining that anything other than penetrative sex between a man and a woman is illegal.
The Supreme Court of Ghana has upheld a law criminalizing gay sex, which dates back to 1960. The law, known as the Criminal Code of 1960, prohibits “unnatural carnal knowledge,” which includes same-sex sexual acts. Offenders can face up to three years in jail under this law. The court’s decision was made on July 24, 024, and it dismissed a lawsuit challenging the law’s constitutionality. The court’s reasons for the ruling will be provided at a later date.
This decision comes amidst ongoing debates and legal challenges surrounding LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana. A new bill, the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, which was passed in parliament in February, seeks to introduce even harsher penalties for same-sex relations and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. The bill is currently awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court on its constitutionality. If the bill becomes law, it could significantly impact the LGBTQ+ community in Ghana.
