Former national chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has revealed that Germany and other countries that lend financial assistance to Ghana are contemplating demanding debt repayments if President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo signs the anti-LGBT+ bill into law.
According to Blay who disclosed this in an interview with Kumasi-based Oyerepa TV, the countries deem their intended action as a protest against the LGBT+ bill, which they consider discriminatory and against human rights principles.
“The reality is that we depend on international bodies for financial assistance, we go and borrow money from them and we pay..,” Blay said. “Germany I am aware of…says if we impose such bill, we will demand our payment on loans and no compromise on that and many other countries have said similar, IMF itself has made it clear on some of the conditions”.
On Wednesday, February 28, the parliament of Ghana passed the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill also known as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.
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The bill prescribes a three-year jail term for identifying as LGBTQ+ and a maximum of five years for the willful promotion, sponsorship, or support of LGBTQ+ activities in the country.
Since it’s passage, the bill has been described by both local and international humanitarian agencies as an “extreme” legislation that tightens the laws against members of Ghana’s LGBTQ+ community.
Days ago, the Ministry of Finance through a circular indicated significant economic implications the country would face should the bill be signed into law by President Akufo-Addo. According to the ministry, Ghana is likely to lose a total of 3.8 billion dollars in World Bank financing. This comes after hints of potential implications from other international donors.
Eugene Agyei contributed to this report.
