Edem Agbana On Anti-LGBT+ Bill.

Edem Agbana, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Ketu North, has conveyed his dissatisfaction with the ongoing debates regarding the financial implications of the Anti-LGBT+ Bill.

He believes that these discussions undermine the integrity of Ghana’s independence.

The Ministry of Finance has cautioned about potential financial consequences for the economy if President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo approves the Promoting Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024, also known as the anti-gay bill.

In the statement released by the ministry on March 4th, it was mentioned that if the bill is enacted into law, the country could potentially face a loss of $3.8 billion from the World Bank.

However, according to a report on citinewsroom.com, the candidate running for parliament in Ketu North contended that these discussions imply a lack of autonomy and self-sufficiency in Ghana.

According to Edem Agbana, if the bill’s discussions are connected to the financial consequences, then the nation cannot pride itself on its independence.

To him, the supremacy of Ghana appears as nothing more than an illusion.

“My concern is that we are trying to debate this whole issue and link it to the financial implications of the bill. That tells me that what we did three days ago, lining up our schoolchildren, workers, and old men and women to celebrate what we call independence, is nothing but a mirage,” he stated.

Edem Agbana clarified that, as an independent nation, it is imperative for the country to have the autonomy to make choices that it deems beneficial for its populace.

He expressed feeling ashamed due to the discussions about the financial consequences brought up by the bill’s critics.

“Because if we are truly independent, we should be able to make decisions that we believe are in the best interests of this country. Our country must state our position on this issue clearly, and when you are going to the table of negotiations, let everybody know that these things must be attached; there cannot be conditionalities attached to giving us financial aid.

“And so, I believe that this whole conversation about the financial implications is even embarrassing to some of us. It undermines the whole concept of independence because you cannot even think for yourself, you cannot make decisions for yourself because when you do, a certain body wanting to give you money will withdraw the money, so you are ready to accept anything that they impose on you as a conditionality,” he stated.