AS Ghana grapples with contentious legislation that could severely impact LGBTQ+ individuals, global organisations like the World Bank and the IMF are under increasing pressure to wield their financial influence to dissuade the enactment of discriminatory laws. Charities and advocacy groups are urging these development bodies to signal that they may withhold funding if Ghana proceeds with the proposed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, which is slated to be challenged in the country’s supreme court next week.
The proposed bill, titled the ‘promotion of proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values’ bill, has ignited significant international concern. It seeks to imprison individuals identifying as gay for up to three years, with stiffer penalties of up to five years for ‘promoters’ of gay rights. Furthermore, the bill aims to escalate the term of imprisonment for consensual same-sex acts from three to five years.
Elana Berger, Executive Director of the Bank Information Centre, emphasised the unique leverage of the World Bank to influence Ghana’s decision, given the substantial funding at stake amounting to $3.8bn. Berger stated, ‘Funding a country with this law will lead to discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. We believe that everything the World Bank does should be moral, fair, and inclusive.’
Ghana’s parliament passed the bill in February despite warnings from the finance ministry about potential repercussions, including losing World Bank financing worth $3.8bn over the next five to six years. The finance ministry cautioned that such a loss could derail an ongoing $3 billion bailout program from the IMF and jeopardise efforts to manage the country’s $20bn debt.
‘The law being proposed in Ghana is deeply concerning and contrary to the principles of equality and non-discrimination,’ stated a spokesperson from the World Bank, acknowledging the institution’s commitment to inclusive development.
The World Bank’s stance on anti-LGBTQ+ legislation was exemplified last year when it suspended funding to Uganda following the passage of similarly discriminatory laws. The bank expressed that such legislation contradicts its core values and undermines efforts to eradicate poverty inclusively.
Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAids, highlighted the detrimental impact of punitive laws on public health outcomes, particularly in the context of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Byanyima emphasised the importance of inclusive approaches in Ghana’s successful HIV response and warned that the bill could obstruct access to life-saving services and jeopardise development progress.
‘Approaches rooted in inclusion of all people have been crucial to Ghana’s progress in the HIV response … if this bill becomes law, it will obstruct access to life-saving services, undercut social protection, and jeopardise Ghana’s development success,’ she said.
Genevieve Partington, Amnesty International’s Ghana country director, condemned the bill as draconian and a violation of fundamental rights. Partington stressed that the proposed law aims to further criminalise LGBTQ+ individuals and anyone supporting their rights, contravening principles of freedom of expression and association.
Responding to inquiries, a spokesperson from the IMF underscored the organisation’s commitment to inclusive development and affirmed support for the legal challenge to the bill currently underway in Ghana’s supreme court.
The supreme court in Ghana has adjourned its hearing on the proposed law to May 17, signalling ongoing legal deliberations amidst escalating international scrutiny and calls for intervention to protect LGBTQ+ rights in the country. The outcome of these legal proceedings holds significant implications for Ghana’s relationship with international development partners and its commitment to human rights and inclusive development.
In light of the potential ramifications on funding and development assistance, the World Bank and IMF face growing expectations to use their influence to advocate for human rights and oppose discriminatory legislation that threatens the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals in Ghana. The unfolding legal challenge underscores broader global efforts to promote equality and inclusivity within development frameworks and international partnerships.
