Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George has challenged the assertions made by the Ministry of Finance regarding the dire implication of Ghana’s anti-gay bill on international aid.
Speaking out against what he perceives as misinformation, Sam George urged the Ministry to provide official communication from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to substantiate their claims.
“The World Bank and IMF have not communicated the things that the Ministry of Finance has put out in any official communication,” he stated emphatically during an interview with Johnnie Hughes on 3FM Sunrise Morning Show on March 5.
“I am daring the Ministry of Finance and Hon. Amin Anta Adam to publish the official communication from IMF and the World Bank that says that we will not get those credit supports because of the bill,” Mr Sam George added.
The MP questioned the motives behind the alleged claims, suggesting that individuals within the Ghanaian government might be attempting to serve their own interests rather than those of the nation.
“It is persons within the Ghana government system, who are trying to please whichever paymasters they have that are painting this picture,” he remarked.
Mr Sam George emphasized the importance of transparency in the matter. “The IMF, as at this morning, my last check this morning, has not written either in a letter or phone call to anybody at the Ministry of Finance saying that they would withhold the $300 million dollars neither has the World Bank written or sent an email saying that they will withhold $250 million dollars to Ghana,” he stressed.
He further called for an evaluation of Ghana’s cultural heritage in relation to the potential aid losses that the Ministry of Finance officials are concerned about.
“How much is Ghana’s cultural heritage? Is it worth $700 million a year? Is that really what it is worth?” he asked.
Mr. George was reacting to a brief submitted to President Akufo-Addo by the Ministry in which it pointed out dire implications of assenting to the Promotion of Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill passed by Parliament on February 28.
In a brief on the implications of assenting to the Bill by President Akufo-Addo, the Ministry of Finance said the country stands to lose huge financial support from the Bretton Woods institutions.
“In total, Ghana is likely to lose US$3.8 billion in World Bank Financing over the next five to six years. For 2024, Ghana will lose US$600 million budget support and US$250 million for the Financial Stability Fund. This 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,” part of the brief sighted by 3news.com reads.
By Joselyn Kafui Nyadzi