The Ministry of Finance has urged President Akufo-Addo to hold off on signing the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill recently passed into law.
According to the Ministry, enacting the bill could lead to significant financial consequences for Ghana, particularly concerning support from international organizations like the Bretton Woods Institutions.
The Ministry expressed concerns that the anticipated US$300 million funding from the First Ghana Resilient Recovery Development Policy Operation (Budget Support), awaiting approval from Parliament, might not be released if the bill becomes law. Additionally, negotiations for the Second Ghana Resilient Recovery Development Policy Operation (Budget Support), also totaling US$300 million, could be put on hold.
These potential outcomes could create a substantial financial gap in the 2024 budget, the Ministry emphasized.
To tackle these challenges, the Ministry urged the President to engage with religious bodies to discuss the implications of signing the bill and to establish a robust coalition and framework for supporting key development initiatives.
It recommended structured dialogue with local conservative forces, such as religious bodies and faith-based organizations, to convey the economic implications of passing the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill and to build a stronger coalition and framework for supporting affected development initiatives.
The Ministry also suggested that the President should consider deferring assent to the Bill until the court rules on the legal issues raised by key national stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
The Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, recently passed through various stages in Parliament. The legislation classifies engaging in “unnatural carnal knowledge” as a misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum imprisonment term of three years.
