The co-sponsor of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, has questioned the Ministry of Finance's intention for suggesting to President Akufo-Addo not to assent to the controversial bill.

In a press release on March 4, the Ministry of Finance urged President Akufo-Addo to refrain from signing the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill into law.

The ministry cautioned that such an action could lead to severe repercussions on the country's financial support from international organisations like the Bretton Woods institutions.

The statement highlighted concerns that the expected US$3.8 billion financing from the First Ghana Resilient Recovery Development Policy Operation (Budget Support), currently awaiting Parliamentary approval, might not be disbursed if the bill is signed into law.

• Read also: Don’t assent to Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill – Finance Ministry tells Akufo-Addo

Speaking on Joy FM's Midday News on Monday, Mr Bedzrah said this suggestion proves that the Ministry had put money ahead of protecting the Ghanaian culture.

“Is it the money that we are talking about or we are talking about protecting our own integrity, our culture values, and our morality? They can go to hell with their US$3.8 billion. If we as Ghanaians are saying that Ghana Beyond Aid; the President and the whole government including all of us agree that Ghana should go beyond aid, why should we be grumbling for US$3.8 billion? Because of that we should kowtow to them and we should agree with whatever they tell us?” he questioned.

• Read also: Parliament unanimously passes Anti-LGBTQ+ bill

The Ho West MP said initially he was in doubt about the authenticity of the statement because the Ministry of Finance has three incumbent legislators at the helm of affairs. Therefore, for them to agree with the passage in Parliament and subsequently use their offices to oppose the assent raises suspicion.

He argued that for a ministry with core values such as professionalism, ethics, efficiency, responsiveness, and transforming Ghana Beyond Aid to take such a stand because of money is worrying.