Anti-LGBTQ+ bill: There is heavy does of lobbying activities to stop Akufo-Addo from assenting bill into law – Prof. John Gatsi

Prof. John Gatsi

Professor of economics and Dean of the University of Cape Coast Business School, Professor John Gatsi has noted that the international community is doing everything possible to stop President Akufo-Addo from assenting the LGBTQ+ bill into law.

Speaking to TV3, he said serious lobbying is ongoing by some powers using the Ministry of Finance to blackmail Ghanaians to support the President not to sign the bill.

“It sounds like there is a heavy dose of lobbying activities going on [in] these last minutes of the process. We knew that the constituents of the world that are not happy with the stand of Ghana on LGBTQ were very clear. All attempts were made to stop the process in parliament that didn’t happen.

“The international community, having seen the signs of a unanimous decision to pass the bill in parliament, has occasioned the upscale of lobbying activities across the board,” Prof. John Gatsi said.

The Professor of Economics continued, “And now they are using our own finance ministry to blackmail Ghanaians to support the President not to sign the bill.”

Although there is pressure from Ghanaians for the President to assent to the bill, the Finance Ministry has cautioned against such a move, indicating that it will have consequences.

The Ministry in a paper to President Akufo-Addo said Ghana is likely to lose US$3.8 billion in World Bank Financing over the next five to six years if the bill becomes law.

The Ministry also said that in 2024, Ghana will lose US$600 million in budget support and US$250 million for the Financial Stability Fund.

This, the Ministry explained will negatively impact Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves and exchange rate stability as these inflows are expected to shore up the country’s reserve position.

In a reaction, the President has called for calm ahead of case being filed against the anti-LGBTQ+ bill in the Supreme Court to be determined before he decides on assenting to the bill or otherwise.