The Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alex Afenyo-Markin is urging government to declare its position on homosexuality.
He made this point after Health Minister; Sherry Ayittey read a statement on the floor of Parliament on healthy living.
Although some Legislators suggested a different platform for the discussion of the matter, Mr. Afenyo-Markin insisted that a government decision must be taken now.
In an interview on Eyewitness News on Friday, the Effutu Legislator pointed out that Ghana, unlike Nigeria and Uganda has not been bold enough to “take a firm decision; whether we are anti-gay or we are pro-gay.”
He explained that if an anti-gay stance is given, then the country as a whole can start and early childhood orientation of its citizens and the passage of laws to “prepare the minds of the youth.”
According to him, it is an undeniable fact that the practice of homosexuality was rapidly becoming as lifestyle for some youth in Ghana and since there are possible health risks associated with the practice, a government stance on the matter will aid the accessibility of healthcare to homosexuals.
“If we are for gay practices and we say it’s a human rights issue, we are accepting it, we have to live with it, then we should provide facilities at the health centers to take care of them because people are dying,” he suggested.
The Effutu MP maintained that all he wants is “a government policy first and then we tow a direction.”
Mr. Afenyo-Markin however refused to declare his personal stance on the matter, insisting that his personal views “do not matter at this stage. It is about the country Ghana.”
He added that his view on the matter is complex – that is, his religious view and political view.
Click on link below to listen to the Effutu MP
By: Efua Idan Osam/citifmonline.com/Ghana