After months of legal proceedings, Ghana’s Supreme Court is finally set to give its ruling on the Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA), Act 1050, 2020, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023.
The highly contentious case has been brought before the court by Food Sovereignty Ghana (FSG), which is challenging the constitutionality of the Act.
Since November 11, 2021, when FSG filed the suit, the case has proceeded through a number of hearings, with both parties submitting their final arguments recently.
Now, with the judgement day just hours away, Ghanaian citizens, environmentalists and stakeholders in the agricultural sector are closely watching to see what the Supreme Court has to say.
If the Supreme Court rules in favour of FSG, this could be a significant victory for proponents of food sovereignty and biodiversity. However, if the court decides in favour of the Act, it could have serious implications for the country’s agriculture industry and the rights of farmers.
The judgement is scheduled to be delivered at 9am on Wednesday, 24th May, and it is expected that a large number of people will be present outside the courthouse to hear the verdict.
The outcome of this landmark case is likely to have far-reaching consequences for Ghana’s legal system and agricultural practices.
By Vincent Kubi