Ghana’s finance ministry has advised the president against signing a controversial anti-LGBT bill approved by parliament last week.
The bill warns that Ghana could lose a total of $3.8 billion in World Bank funding over the next five to six years. It prescribes three years in jail for identifying as LGBT+ and five years for promoting LGBT+ activities. Ghana is experiencing a significant economic crisis and received a bailout from the International Monetary Fund, IMF, last year.
There are concerns that any shortfall in funding from the World Bank and other donors could derail the economic recovery. In an unusual move, the warning from the finance ministry was leaked to several media outlets, including the BBC. It recommends that President Nana Akufo-Addo defer signing the bill until the Supreme Court rules on whether it aligns with the constitution. Human rights groups filed a case in court even before it was passed by parliament, but it is unlikely to be heard by the Supreme Court for some time.
Ghana’s president has seven days after receiving the bill to decide whether to sign it into law. If he doesn’t, he has 14 days to provide reasons for his decision. Although the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill was passed by parliament last Thursday, it has not yet been sent to the president for his assent. Mr. Akufo-Addo is reported to be holding meetings with key ministries and donors to assess the impact of the bill.
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The US, UK, and human rights groups have condemned the bill, supported by both of Ghana’s main political parties. Last year, the World Bank froze new loans to Uganda due to anti-LGBT legislation. The IMF noted that “diversity and inclusion are values that the IMF embraces” but couldn’t comment on the bill until it’s signed into law.
Ghana could lose about $850m in support this year alone, impacting its struggling economy, foreign reserves, and exchange rate stability.
Credible news.ng
