Ghanaian Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has announced plans to enact a contentious bill imposing a three-year prison sentence for those who identify as LGBTQ should he win the presidential election in December 2024, Bloomberg reports.
At a press conference on Sunday evening in Accra, Bawumia stated that signing the bill into law would be “automatic” if the Supreme Court rules it “consistent with the Constitution.” Human rights activists expressed concerns over the bill.
Ghana’s Finance Ministry also warned that endorsement could jeopardize $3.8 billion in World Bank funding over the next six years. Additionally, it could threaten a $3 billion bailout program from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and hinder efforts to restructure $20 billion in external debt.
The proposed legislation is one step away from becoming law, pending presidential endorsement. Alternatively, the president may choose to reject the bill or seek further counsel from the Council of State before making a decision. Incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo has refrained from engaging with the bill until the Supreme Court makes a ruling on its constitutionality. He is set to leave office in January after completing his second term.
In addition to his stance on LGBTQ issues, Bawumia voiced plans for economic reform, committing to a 3% cut in government spending relative to GDP to satisfy IMF requirements for a primary surplus after years of deficits. The 60-year-old economist aims to revitalize Ghana’s economy, targeting average growth of 6%, up from 2.9% last year, primarily through boosting the mining and agriculture sectors.
Bawumia has also pledged to invest in Ghana’s transition to cleaner energy, with plans to purchase 100 electric-powered transit buses this year and to install 2,000 megawatts of solar energy over the next four years, aligning with global moves toward sustainable energy solutions.
