Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Dr. Nana Agyemang Badu II, has declared his indifference to the possibility of the United States denying him a visa due to his stance against LGBTQ+ rights. He made this statement in response to remarks made by the US ambassador earlier this year.
In August of this year, Virginia Palmer, the US Ambassador to Ghana, cautioned Ghana to exercise caution when considering a bill aimed at prohibiting LGBTQ+ activities in the country. She emphasized that the enactment of such a bill could have ramifications for trade and investment in Ghana.
Ambassador Palmer pointed out that numerous American companies were gearing up to invest in Ghana, and any legislation perceived as discriminatory against LGBTQ+ individuals could tarnish the country’s reputation and reduce its appeal to investors.
“Lots of ethnic communities make Ghana strong, stable, and attractive for investments. I hope it stays that way with regard to the LGBTQ community.
They should be managed to be made the colour of the money green or red if it’s Ghanaian, but if it is discrimination, then that will send a signal not to [only] LGBTQ investors and exporters but to other American companies. Then Ghana will be less welcoming…so I hope it stays that welcoming,” the US Ambassador to Ghana Virginia Palmer said.
The Dormaahene said Ghana would rather stay poor than take assistance from other countries who will demand that the country practices LGBTQ+.
He said: “We don’t need their money; we prefer to be in our poverty than to promote the LGBTQ. What have we gotten from them? How much aid did they bring?… People like her cannot talk the way she’s talking. She cannot. If you want to go to the US, or UK, use the way. Me, one day if I decide to go but if you refuse me the visa, mm I care less. I don’t need that. I can’t exchange the custom of our people with pittance.”
I will resign the day judges are told to accept LGBTQ – Dormaahene