The Ministry of Finance has issued a passionate appeal to President Akufo-Addo not to assent to the recently passed Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.
According to the Ministry, signing the bill into law will have dire implications for the country’s financial relationships with international organizations like the Bretton Woods Institutions.
In a press release issued on Monday, March 4, 2024, the Finance Ministry expressed concerns that enacting the bill could jeopardize financial support from entities such as the First Ghana Resilient Recovery Development Policy Operation (Budget Support), which awaits Parliamentary approval and entails a projected US$300 million in financing. There are fears that failure to heed this advice could halt ongoing negotiations regarding the Second Ghana Resilient Recovery Development Policy Operation (Budget Support), also valued at US$300 million.
The Ministry emphasized the possibility of a significant loss of financial resources, potentially resulting in a financing gap in the 2024 budget if the bill is signed into law.
To mitigate these potential challenges, the Ministry recommended that the President engage with religious bodies to discuss the economic implications of enacting the bill and establish a robust coalition and framework to support key development initiatives.
Furthermore, it suggested that the President defer signing the bill until legal issues raised by key national stakeholders, such as Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), are resolved through the court system.
“The Presidency may have a structured engagement with local conservative forces such as religious bodies and faith-based organisations to communicate the economic implications of the passage of the ‘Anti-LGBTQ’ Bill and to build a stronger coalition and a framework for supporting key development initiative that is likely to be affected.”
“The President may have to defer assenting to the Bill until the court rules on the legal issues tabled by key national stakeholders (CSOs and CHRAJ).”
The Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, which Parliament approved on February 28, 2024, criminalizes LGBTQ activities and prohibits their promotion, advocacy, and funding. According to the legislation, individuals convicted of such acts could face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years, while those promoting or sponsoring such activities could be sentenced to three to five years in prison.
The bill’s passage has sparked criticism from various quarters, including Virginia Evelyn Palmer, the United States Ambassador to Ghana.
The Finance Ministry has strongly cautioned President Akufo-Addo against endorsing the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, emphasizing the potential detrimental impact on international financial support.
They specifically highlighted concerns about the awaited US$300 million financing from the… pic.twitter.com/dlRWwJ6tOG
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) March 4, 2024
