By Melvin Onwubuke
The Ghanian government is posed to lose the total of $3.8 billion in World Bank funding over a recent Anti-LGBTQ bill passed by its parliament last week.
Ghana’s Finance Ministry has called on the President, Nana Akufo-Addo not to sign into law, the controversial anti LGBT bill adopted by Parliament last week, according to BBC.
Ghana is suffering a major economic crisis and last year had a bailout from the International Monetary Fund.
According to the IMF, diversity and inclusion are values it embraces.
IMF said “Our internal policies prohibit discrimination based on personal characteristics, including but not limited to gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation. Like institutions, diverse and inclusive economies flourish.
“We are watching recent developments in Ghana closely.
“We cannot comment on a bill that has not yet been signed into law and whose economic and financial implications we have yet to assess.”
The bill prescribes three years in jail for identifying as LGBT+ and five years for promoting LGBT+ activities.
Ghana’s president has seven days after receiving the bill to decide whether to sign it into law and if he doesn’t, 14 days to give reasons.
Mr Akufo-Addo is reportedly holding meetings with key ministries and donors to assess the impact of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill.
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.
