The US ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, has issued a stern warning to Ghana regarding the possibility of passing an anti-LGBT law. A potential anti-gay law, according to the ambassador, could result in Ghana losing investments from American businesses.
Virginia Palmer urged Ghana to be more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community so that the nation could benefit financially from them.
Virginia Palmer, the US ambassador to Ghana, has cautioned that passing a law that is anti-LGBTQ+ will mislead potential investors. Palmer claimed that other American companies would also steer clear of Ghana, in addition to LGBTQ+ investors.
She recently told the media that a potential anti-LGBTQ+ law might harm Ghana’s reputation.
“…if it is discrimination, then that will send a signal not to [only] LGBTQ investors and exporters but to other American companies. Then Ghana will be less welcoming,” The US ambassador to Ghana said.
The ambassador added that Ghana should embrace the LGBTQ community in the same way that we have various ethnic groups.
“Lots of ethnic communities make Ghana strong, stable, and attractive for investments. I hope it stays that way with regard to the LGBTQ community.”
The Bill, which was initially introduced in June 2021, could sentence members of the LGBTQ community to up to five years in prison. Additionally, it aims to make it unlawful to advocate for or promote LGBTQ issues.
US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, warns that discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals could convey an unfavorable message to investors#UTVNews pic.twitter.com/VgQJJYgNiG
— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) August 10, 2023
In a related news, the World Bank has declared its intention to suspend providing new loans to Uganda due to the country’s controversial anti-LGBTQ legislation.
The Washington, DC-based lender said it would pause project financing pending a review of measures it introduced to protect sexual and gender minorities from discrimination and exclusion in its projects.
“Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act fundamentally contradicts the World Bank Group’s values,” the World Bank said in a statement.
It emphasized that its vision “includes everyone irrespective of race, gender, or sexuality”.
