Anti-LGBTQ Bill: IMF, World Bank’s reaction after assent difficult to predict, says Dr Theo Acheampong

Economist and Political Risk Analyst, Dr Theo Acheampong has noted that it is difficult to tell what the next course of action of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank will be if the anti-LGBTQ Bill is assented by President Akufo-Addo.

Making the assertion during the NorvanReports’ and Economic Governance Platform (EGP) X Space on the topic “Potential Economic Impact of Ghana’s Anti-LGBTQI Bill”, Dr Acheampong averred this is due to Ghana being a model country in Africa for the Bretton Wood Institutions and the West in general.

Adding that, the IMF and the World Bank in their statements following the passage of the Bill have not stated their clear stance on the issue.

“It is difficult to tell what course of action the IMF will take if the Bill is assented to, given the happenings in West Africa and particularly with Ghana being seen as a model donor country by the West.

“Because if you look at the statements from the IMF and World Bank, they are careful not to give a clear position on the issue but only to say they are monitoring events,” he quipped.

Although alluding to the fact that there are no LGBTQI-based criteria for the disbursement of funds by the World Bank and the IMF under the Fund programme.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it will comment on the passage of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill (anti-LGBTQ Bill) by Parliament only after it has been signed into law.

According to the Fund, this will only follow an assessment of the economic and financial implications of the bill.

In a statement on the issue, the Fund stressed that “Diversity and inclusion are values that the IMF embraces.”

“Our internal policies prohibit discrimination based on personal characteristics, including but not limited to gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation as institutions, diverse and inclusive economies flourish.

“We cannot comment on a bill that has not yet been signed into law and whose economic and financial implications we have yet to assess,” the Fund added.

Source:norvanreports