The United States issued a cautionary statement on Thursday, indicating that there is a possibility of reducing foreign aid to Ghana if President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo approves a new bill that criminalizes LGBTQ+ activities.
Ghana’s Parliament recently passed legislation that could result in individuals facing prison terms of up to three years for identifying as LGBTQ+ and up to five years for establishing or endorsing LGBTQ+ groups.
US State Department spokesperson Matt Miller expressed concerns about the potential consequences of the bill, stating, “So we have made very clear what our opinion is on that law—you can look at my statement yesterday – and we have made that clear in private conversations with the Government of Ghana as well. I don’t think I should get any more specific than that, but if this bill becomes law, it would certainly have a chilling effect on foreign investment and tourism in Ghana.”
He added that the enactment of the bill could affect U.S. assistance to the country.
“You’ve seen that same chilling effect bear fruit in Uganda, which passed a very similar law in the past, and I can say that should the bill pass, it would potentially have ramifications on U.S. assistance in the country”.
While the bill awaits President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s assent, he has indicated his willingness to approve it if it aligns with the wishes of the majority of Ghanaians.
The United States provided over $211 million in assistance to Ghana in fiscal year 2022, targeting key areas like agriculture, malaria prevention, and AIDS combat. The effects of the recent legislation on upcoming aid are still uncertain.
Similarly, Virginia Palmer, the US Ambassador to Ghana, has cautioned that the enactment of the anti-LGBTQ+ legislation may have repercussions on trade and investment within the nation.
Ambassador Palmer emphasized that numerous American companies are currently gearing up to invest in Ghana, but any legislation that promotes discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals could tarnish the country’s image and diminish its appeal to potential investors.
Speaking to journalists in Accra, Ambassador Palmer said: “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.
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