Ghana had a foul time in 2022 – 4 reads to atone for what occurred

Ghana, a rustic with fame for democracy, human rights, governance and financial progress in Africa, endured a tough 2022.

The results of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine battle inflicted financial ache, leaving the nation on the doorways of the Worldwide Financial Fund. The 12 months additionally noticed protests over a cellular cash transaction levy and a hardline anti-LGBTQI invoice. Unlawful mining additionally elevated as the federal government admitted it had misplaced management of the state of affairs.

The Dialog Africa’s tutorial authors captured all these points in 4 insightful articles.

A draconian legislation within the offing

On 29 June 2021, the Promotion of Correct Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Household Values Invoice 2021 was launched in parliament. Its purpose was to “proscribe the promotion of and advocacy for LGBTQ+ follow”.

The invoice grew to become the topic of worldwide criticism on human rights grounds. Its supporters have argued that it’s important to protect Ghanaian society. Martin Odei Agei gives a philosophical perspective on why many Africans oppose homosexuality and argues that being homosexual and being culturally African needn’t be seen as a contradiction.

Learn extra: Homosexuality and Africa: a philosopher’s perspective

An economic system on its knees

Ghana has introduced what it’s calling a debt alternate programme because it seeks stability of cost help from the Worldwide Financial Fund.

Economist Theo Acheampong explains that whereas debt restructuring is important, the federal government should admit its personal failings in managing the economic system and the funds which can be obtainable to it.

Learn extra: Ghana and the IMF: debt restructuring must go hand-in-hand with managing finances better

The introduction of an digital transaction levy by the federal government in Could in a bid to boost home income was met with political and civil resistance. The levy centered on cellular cash transactions. Mike Rogan, Nana Akua Anyidoho, Max Gallien and Vanessa van den Boogaard estimate the levy’s doubtless impression on poor folks.

Learn extra: New data on the e-levy in Ghana: unpopular tax on mobile money transfers is hitting the poor hardest

The seek for gold ravages the setting

Ghana’s place as one of many world’s prime producers of gold has come at a worth: the wanton destruction of land and vegetation and the chemical contamination of water. Authorities measures haven’t slowed down the degradation and air pollution.

This has been blamed largely on the artisanal and small scale mining sector. Richard Kumah’s evaluation explains the disconnect between the realities of those miners and the principles that govern them.

Learn extra: Ghana’s illegal mining continues because the rules and reality are disconnected