World Bank and IMF can press Ghana to rethink ‘punitive’ LGBTQ law, charities say

Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAids, said evidence showed that punitive laws such as Ghana’s were a ‘barrier to ending Aids, and ultimately undermine everyone’s health’. Photograph: Xinhua/Rex/Shutterstock

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are coming under pressure to use their financial might to persuade Ghana to reconsider a proposed law that could lead to anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ being jailed for three years.

Charities and campaign groups are calling on the global development bodies to tell Ghana they may stop funding the country if the proposed legislation – which will be challenged in the country’s supreme court next week – comes into effect.