Professor Richard Frimpong Oppong
A Supreme Court nominee, Professor Richard Frimpong Oppong, faced intense questioning over his views on LGBTQ+ rights during his vetting by the Appointments Committee of Parliament yesterday.
The professor was grilled about a paper he wrote on recognising foreign same-sex marriages in Ghana, with some committee members expressing concerns that his views could be seen as promoting LGBTQ+ activities.
Some members of the committee raised concerns about a confidential report from the National Intelligence Bureau, which suggested that Professor Oppong promotes LGBTQ+ activities.
Professor Oppong denied the allegations, stating that his academic work was misinterpreted.
He emphasised that his paper focused on the legal implications of recognising foreign same-sex marriages in a specific issue, not advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
“I reject in the strongest possible terms any suggestion that I promote LGBTQ+ activities,” Professor Oppong said.
“My academic work is focused on the legal implications of recognising foreign same-sex marriages, not advocating for LGBTQ+ rights,” he added.
Despite his denials, some committee members remained skeptical, citing concerns about the potential impact of his views on Ghana’s laws and social norms.
One of the Members of Parliament (MPs), Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, NDC MP for South Dayi, suggested that the nominee would be a danger to the Anti-LGBTQ Bill if approved to the Supreme Court, which Prof. Oppong rejected.
“I vehemently reject that I will be a danger to anything you’re talking about if I get to the Supreme Court,” Professor Oppong said. “My responsibility as a judge is to apply the laws of Ghana, not to espouse any views through my judgment.”
When asked directly if he believes in same-sex marriage, Professor Oppong responded with a clear “No”.
The Law professor was also questioned about the funding of his research, specifically a paper he wrote on recognising foreign same-sex marriages in Ghana.
He revealed that his research was funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada, an institution that funds all academic works in Canadian universities.
Professor Oppong emphasised that the institution has no agenda and funds research across various disciplines.
He assured the committee that his academic work is neutral and does not promote any specific ideology.
Professor Oppong also faced questions about his experience as a lawyer, with some committee members expressing concerns that he had not practiced law in Ghana for an extended period.
However, he highlighted his extensive experience as an arbitrator and his association with law firms in Ghana.
The professor’s responses were met with a mix of skepticism and praise from the committee members. While some appreciated his clarity and expertise, others remained unconvinced about his suitability for the Supreme Court.
By Ernest Kofi Adu, Parliament House