President Mahama warns the World Bank and IMF against interfering in Ghana’s LGBTQ+ discussions, emphasizing cultural autonomy. He argues that these institutions should focus on economic matters and stresses the need for broader stakeholder consultations concerning potential anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. He champions education in promoting family values, rather than relying solely on legislation.
President John Dramani Mahama has urged multilateral institutions, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to refrain from interfering in Ghana’s domestic policies, especially regarding cultural and social matters such as LGBTQ+ rights. In an interview with Bloomberg’s Next Africa, he expressed that these institutions should prioritize their economic functions over attempting to sway Ghanaian cultural values.
President Mahama asserted, “Multilateral institutions should avoid getting into cultural matters. This is a diverse world. We have different cultures.” His remarks followed concerns that the World Bank and IMF might threaten to withdraw funding in response to impending anti-LGBTQ+ legislation under consideration in Ghana’s parliament.
When questioned about possible financial repercussions of the bill’s potential enactment, Mahama responded firmly: “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.”
Currently, Ghana’s parliament is contemplating the revival of a controversial anti-LGBTQ bill, which had previously lapsed after facing legal scrutiny and lack of presidential consent. Mahama clarified that while the legal challenge was dismissed, the bill did not progress due to a lack of presidential signature.
Regarding the prospect of a new bill, Mahama called for more comprehensive stakeholder consultations: “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 emphasized the importance of education in upholding family values, stating, “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.
President Mahama’s statements highlight his stance on the intersection of global financial institutions and local cultural debates. He advocates for the autonomy of Ghanaian policies in matters related to LGBTQ+ rights while calling for increased stakeholder engagement in legislative discussions. Furthermore, he underscores the significance of education in instilling family values, separate from legislative measures. He firmly positions the role of multilateral institutions as economic facilitators rather than cultural arbiters.
Original Source: 3news.com
