A Democracy Scholar at the Hoover Institute and Stanford University, Professor Larry Diamond, has cautioned Ghana about the potential consequences of passing the controversial anti-gay bill into law.
The Ministry of Finance has advised President Akufo-Addo to refrain from approving the anti-LGBTQ+ bill recently endorsed by Parliament. The Ministry has cautioned that the bill’s enactment could result in significant financial repercussions for Ghana.
According to the Ministry, Ghana stands to lose a substantial amount of World Bank funding, estimating a potential loss of USD$3.8 billion over the next five to six years.
During an interview with Bernard Avle on Citi TV’s The Point of View, Professor Diamond argued that passing the bill would have severe economic implications for Ghana. He highlighted the restrictions that foreign investors might impose on a country seen as violating the rights of a minority group.
Professor Diamond further asserted that Western nations are primarily driving the anti-gay agenda in Africa.
“I would remind people of what some friends of Ghana have been saying. This act will be a disaster for Ghana economically [if passed into law]. Because Western companies are not going to come and invest in a country that is pummeling minority rights.
“The extreme religious rights have failed to achieve this religious agenda in the United States. And so now they are coming to Africa to try and push the agenda. People who complain about neo-colonialism? Shouldn’t they be asking questions about this? he asked.
The Presidency halted the transmission of the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill for assent to Parliament on March 18, citing legal issues.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin criticized President Akufo-Addo for this decision.
We are ready to make the bill into law even if we are to chop grasses for survival.