By 
Professor Godfred Bokpin, a Finance expert from the University of Ghana Business School, asserts that the nation’s choice to articulate its position on the contentious LGBTQ+ matter is well-founded.
He pointed out that on a global scale, matters related to sexual orientation are increasingly contentious. Hence, he believes it was appropriate for the country to articulate its position.
During an appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile on March 2, Professor Bokpin stated, “If you look at it across Africa and the world it was not lost on me that at a point in time, Ghana had to take a position as a country and we could no longer be neutral along those discussions given those dynamics that were emerging. Especially other countries have responded quite strictly and all of that. So, for me, I think that it is just the right thing that the country has done.”
While acknowledging his lack of expertise in legal matters, Professor Bokpin highlighted that in economics, policies are frequently shaped to mirror the cultural values of the population. Therefore, enacting a law based on the principles of their cultural values is justified.
“I am not a lawyer but it is consistent with common sense. I am not a lawyer so I don’t know how law is formulated. I will put it on my hat as an economist. In macro-economic policy formulation, if you talk about the fiscal policy of a country it mirrors the country’s culture as well.
“So context is important. So I can look at it from the perspective of policy formulation. Macroeconomic policy, fiscal policy, monetary policy you can not disaggregate or hold constant culture, values, and all of that even in formulation of tax policy and the rest of them. So I do not lean toward the idea that cultural values, and moral values can not be a basis.
“In fact it is a distinguishing feature of one society from the other, one country to the other and for purposes of contextualizing even theory, the issues of cultural values and all of that all play a role,” he added.
Professor Bokpin’s remarks come in the midst of the ongoing discussion on the recently passed anti-LGBTQ+ bill. While some CSOs and stakeholders, including Commissioner Joseph Akanjolenur Whittal of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, argue that legislating based on culture is regressive, Prof Bokpin disagrees. He underscores that the bill has fostered unity among the population.
