President Mahama instructs the World Bank and IMF to avoid intervening in Ghana’s LGBTQ+ legislative issues, emphasizing the importance of cultural autonomy and the need for economic focus. He advocates for stakeholder consultation on any new anti-LGBTQ+ bills while asserting that teaching family values is more essential than legislative efforts alone.
President John Dramani Mahama has urged global financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to refrain from interfering in Ghana’s internal matters, specifically regarding LGBTQ+ rights. In a Bloomberg interview, he emphasized that these organizations should center their efforts on economic objectives instead of influencing cultural norms in Ghana, stating, “Multilateral institutions should avoid getting into cultural matters. This is a diverse world. We have different cultures.”
His remarks arise amidst concerns that the World Bank and IMF might reconsider funding if Ghana’s parliament advances an anti-LGBTQ+ legislation currently under consideration. When questioned about potential financial repercussions if the bill is enacted, Mahama expressed defiance, asserting, “If they decide to pull [funding], well, it’s their prerogative. But I don’t believe that multilateral institutions like the World Bank and IMF should include in their mandates how people behave culturally.”
Ghana’s parliament is deliberating on a controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill that had previously lapsed due to legal challenges and lack of presidential assent. Mahama clarified that while the legal issues were resolved, the earlier bill expired without being signed into law. In regard to a new version of the proposed legislation, he called for enhanced stakeholder engagement, noting the importance of consensus: “What we need is more stakeholder consultation to look at whatever new bill will come and make sure that we carry everybody on board.”
The President advocated for focusing on education over legislation concerning family values, emphasizing that instilling proper values should occur within homes and communities. “Proper family values are something we all are interested in. But it’s not only in the bills that we send to parliament to regulate them, it’s also about teaching our children those family values as they grow,” he concluded.
President Mahama’s firm stance highlights Ghana’s intent to uphold its cultural perspectives while managing external pressures from multilateral institutions. He advocates for a dialogue-driven approach to legislation affecting social issues, specifically LGBTQ+ rights, focusing on the importance of education in nurturing family values rather than solely relying on legislative measures. His defense of Ghana’s autonomy could potentially influence future relations with international financial institutions.
Original Source: 3news.com
