The Ministry of Finance has urged President Akufo-Addo to refrain from signing the recently passed Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill into law. According to the Ministry, if the bill is signed into law, it will cause severe repercussions on the country’s financial support from international organizations.
The statement highlighted concerns that the expected US$300 million financing from the First Ghana Resilient Recovery Development Policy Operation (Budget Support), currently awaiting Parliamentary approval, might not be disbursed if the bill is signed into law.
Also, ongoing negotiations on the Second Ghana Resilient Recovery Development Policy Operation (Budget Support), amounting to US$300 million, could be suspended. The Ministry continued hitting potential outcomes which could result in a significant loss of financial resources, leading to a financing gap in the 2024 budget.
“The Presidency may have a structured engagement with local conservative forces such as religious bodies and faith-based organizations 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.”
It also added that “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 recently approved Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, passed through various stages in Parliament. The legislation categorizes engaging in “unnatural carnal knowledge” as a misdemeanor, carrying a maximum imprisonment term of three years.
