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Brigadier General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, a former Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces has said he is neither for or against the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill recently passed by Parliament.

Nunoo-Mensah was livid that after 67 years of the country’s independence it is still not able to determine and control its own affairs.

Speaking on Asaase FM Tuesday, he said, “You spoke about Ghana [Parliament] passing a bill and standing the risk of losing about US$3.8 billion World Bank funds…I’m neither for or against the anti-gay bill but for us to be told that because you are taking a decision that is going to affect your future you going to be punished [doesn’t sound right]. This makes me go back and think if we will had real independent…”

The Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, passed on Wednesday (28 February) is set to criminalise the promotion, advocacy, funding and acts of homosexuality

“Desist from signing”

The Ministry of Finance has advised President Akufo-Addo to desist from signing the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill (anti-LGBTQ+) by Parliament into law. 
 
The bill, passed on Wednesday (28 February) is set to criminalise the promotion, advocacy, funding and acts of homosexuality.

In a brief on the immediate impact of the bill on the 2024 Budget on Monday (4 March), the Finance Ministry warned such action could lead to severe repercussions on the country’s financial support from international organisations like the World Bank and IMF.
 
Meanwhile, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured the diplomatic community in Ghana that despite the passage of the “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill” (Anti-LGBTQI+ Bill) by the nation’s Parliament on Wednesday, 28 February 2024, the country will not slip from her enviable and longstanding record as a country that respects the fundamental human rights of all persons within her territory.

Addressing the diplomatic corps in Ghana at the annual “New Year Greeting” held at the Peduase Presidential Lodge, Aburi Hills on Monday, 4 March 2024, President Akufo-Addo said he is aware of the difficulties some of the country’s international partners have with the Bill as has been passed by Parliament.

He indicated a concerned citizen has invoked the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Bill and to that end, he calls on everyone to hold their guns until the apex of the land (Supreme Court) pronounces its judgment on the constitutionality or otherwise of the bill.