President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and IMF to refrain from influencing Ghana’s domestic policies regarding LGBTQ+ rights. He argued for a focus on economic mandates and emphasized the importance of stakeholder consultation in legislative matters while promoting family values through education.
President John Dramani Mahama has addressed the involvement of multilateral institutions, urging the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to refrain from intervening in Ghana’s domestic discussions regarding LGBTQ+ rights. In an interview with Bloomberg’s Next Africa, he emphasized that these organizations should concentrate on their economic objectives instead of attempting to impose cultural standards on Ghana.
Mahama expressed his concerns clearly in the interview, stating, “Multilateral institutions should avoid getting into cultural matters. This is a diverse world. We have different cultures.” His remarks come amidst indications that organizations like the World Bank and IMF may reconsider funding if Ghana enacts its proposed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
When questioned about possible financial repercussions from the proposed bill, Mahama asserted, “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.” The Ghanaian Parliament is deliberating on reviving an earlier controversial anti-LGBTQ bill, which previously expired without presidential approval due to legal challenges.
Furthermore, Mahama emphasized the need for a more inclusive approach in discussing any revised version of the bill. He advocated for extensive consultation among stakeholders, stating, “What we need is more stakeholder consultation to look at whatever new bill will come and make sure that we carry everybody on board.” He highlighted that promoting family values should prioritize education over legislation, remarking, “Proper family values are something we all are interested in.”
In summary, President John Dramani Mahama has firmly urged the World Bank and IMF to respect Ghana’s cultural sovereignty in their policies, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ rights. He advocates for stakeholder consultation in legislative matters and stresses the importance of education in instilling family values, rather than solely relying on legislative measures.
Original Source: 3news.com
