Same-sex marriage not a human right - European Court

In recent times, the debate on the legalisation of homosexual marriages seems to have gained roots in Ghana with the main opposition party, NDC accusing the ruling NPP of being in favour of what many describe as a taboo in the country.

The Akufo-Addo-led government has however stated empathically that it will not push for the acceptance of gay marriages in the country.

Some African leaders, including President Akufo-Addo, have on different occasions been asked about their stance on homosexuality and if they will legalise it in their countries by some international journalists.

There have been several arguments that the refusal to legalise same-sex marriage is an infringement on the rights of such persons, but the European Court of Human Rights has ruled otherwise.

According to the court, "there is no right to homosexual marriage."

In its ruling, the court noted that same-sex "marriages" are not considered a human right, making it clear that homosexual partnerships do not, in fact, equal marriages between a man and a woman, so European nations are not legally obliged to allow that.

According to the 47 judges representing the countries of the Council of Europe, every state is “free to reserve marriage only to heterosexual couples”.

The Court decided that the concept of family not only contemplates "the traditional concept of marriage, that is, the union of a man and a woman", but also that they should not be imposed on governments to "obligation to open marriage to persons of the same sex".