A letter from a senior presidency official has indicated that Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ bill, which was unanimously passed by parliament in February, should not be presented to President Nana Akufo-Addo for his assent until two legal challenges against the legislation are resolved. This move underscores the complexities surrounding the bill, which has sparked widespread international concern and poses potential financial repercussions for the West African nation.
The legislation in question aims to intensify the crackdown on LGBTQ rights, increasing penalties for those accused of promoting LGBTQ identities. It has been a topic of heated debate, not only for its implications on human rights but also for its potential to jeopardize significant international financial support. Specifically, the bill threatens Ghana’s access to $3.8 billion in World Bank financing over the next five to six years and could derail a crucial $3 billion IMF loan package, critical for the country’s economic stability.
Nana Asante Bediatuo, the Secretary to the President, conveyed the presidency’s stance in a letter dated March 18, addressed to the Clerk of Parliament. Bediatuo highlighted that it would be “improper” for the President’s office to receive the bill as mandated by law before the Supreme Court’s decision on the pending legal challenges. This letter emerged in response to an attempt by the Clerk of Parliament to formally submit the bill to the President, which would initiate a seven-day period for presidential approval or rejection.
The Ghanaian Attorney General and Minister of Justice has also advised the President against acting on the bill, citing it as one of the harshest anti-LGBTQ legislations in Africa. With the supreme court yet to rule on the legal challenges against the bill, the presidency’s request to pause its transmission underscores the legal and ethical dilemmas at play.
The implications of the bill extend beyond legal debates, impacting the lives of sexual minorities in Ghana. LGBTQ community members have reported increased complications in their lives, with notable figures such as Ghanaian trans woman and activist Angel Maxine expressing fear for her friends’ safety in Ghana after fleeing to Berlin prior to the bill’s passage in Parliament.
The international community, including the United States, has voiced its concerns over the legislation. The U.S. has expressed being “deeply troubled” by the bill, urging a review of its constitutionality. Furthermore, during a recent visit to Ghana, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva emphasized the importance of inclusivity for Ghana’s success, subtly critiquing the legislation.
