Adding his voice to the highly sensitive debate on homosexuality which has been on the table for discussion after President Akufo Addo’s interview with Al Jazeera a month ago, the Minister declared that, Ghana is not ready to even discuss rights of homosexuals and lesbians.

The Member of Parliament for Nkawkaw made this statement when he delivered a speech at a dissemination forum organized by the Social Accountability Monitoring Committee (SAMC), in partnership with the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council and the Ghana Aids Commission, after visiting some prayer camps and healing centres in the Eastern Region, to access the state of Persons Living with HIV.

“The youth and young ones are now sexually active which beats my imagination, now the issue trending and emerging which is difficult to even discuss is homosexuality and lesbianism, which is alarmingly causing an increase in HIV prevalence”.

“Lesbianism and homosexuality is becoming a fashion in this country, now some popular spots have been identified as a safe haven for homosexuals and lesbians to carry out their acts, those who patronize those places are known, and they go there to feel comfortable among others who also share their way of life. They go there and do things to enjoy themselves shamefully all in the name of human rights, these people perpetuate their shameful acts putting everybody at risk “.

The Eastern Regional Minister Eric Kwakye Darfour then advised the committee and other relevant stakeholders to intensify their efforts in ending the HIV menace in the region.

“The committee has a responsibility to intensify their efforts, so I hope today as we do the dissemination, we will put it on the table and examine the situation, we should not massage the issues or recommendations, let us not miss words because if it is happening it is happening”.

“I want everyone to be part of this meeting because I do not like where we are going as a country and as a region. We are creating more jobs for the people and we need healthy community and healthy population, we cannot continue to jeopardize the health of the people and opportunities and prospects by living an irresponsible life”.

He added that “There is wisdom in following what has been given to us by our fathers as to how we can relate and co-habitat. Ghana is not ready to have homosexuals and lesbians now, I strongly do not think we are ready for such things”.

On her part, the Eastern Regional Coordinator of the Ghana Aids Commission, Madame Golda Asante, expressed shock at the number of People Living with HIV in prayer camps.

“After a visit to healing centres, prayer camps and some abode of herbalists in the region, we noticed that some of the structures which housed PLHIV were not in good conditions”.

“Secondly, we also noticed that most of the leaders of these herbal centres and prayer camps have little or no knowledge about HIV and AIDS. Some even could not differentiate between AIDS and HIV, as some believe they are acquired through dreams and eating with infested persons”.

“We also established that some PLHIV were sleeping in the mud when it rains, and on the bare floor of the facilities they were being held at which really broke our hearts. In our findings, we got to know that some prayer camps claimed to be curing HIV with fasting and prayers, while some herbal centres also claimed to be curing HIV with a mixture of orthodox medicines and herbs deceiving the general public”.

Madame Golda Asante explained that, the leaders of these prayer camps and healing centres were going to be sensitized on the disease and how to deal with it.

“Going forward, the Aids Commission will be engaging the leaders and pastors of these prayer camps to give them training and equip their knowledge on HIV and AIDS, for them to get a fair knowledge on the real issues. We are also encouraging them to refer such cases to health centres close to them for immediate medical attention, treatment and care”.

“This is a good course that civil society and other private entities can jump on, we are calling for immediate support to help reverse the trend and minimize the high prevalence rate in the region, so we want people to come out and help us organize the training for them”.

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ghana not ready to respect rights of homosexuals – Minister appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Council, homosexuality is a threat to Africa’s social protection hence their opposition to any such move.

[contextly_sidebar id=”sUZ6f383K3lbx98ub1HXQL6N3UXjpN0E”]The General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Dr. Kwabena Opuni told Citi News that the country’s leaders must demonstrate that they are resolute in ensuring that homosexuality is not legalized in the country.

“Homosexuality is not only a human right issue. It is also a human existence and survival issue. It threatens Africa’s social protection which is embedded in family and children. Elsewhere in Europe, marriage is between two young people who think they love each other. They can get married before they even introduce themselves to their parents. Our part of the world you need two families to come together for marriage to become possible,” he said.

While commending former President John Evans Atta Mills for his strong stance against the practice, Dr. Opuni said, “that is our cultural identity and uniqueness, and we want Akufo-Addo to state that he cannot and will not accept homosexuality no matter the pressure. We would want our leaders to come strong and clean that no matter the pressure, we would want to protect our cultural identity and uniqueness so that we don’t give any impression that if we are under pressure we will change.”

The debate over the decriminalization and the legalization of same in Ghana, has been rekindled by President Akufo-Addo’s recent interview on Aljazeera.

Akufo-Addo, when asked about Ghana’s stance on homosexuality in the face of its acclaimed open democracy said that, legalizing the practice or decriminalizing it, was not on the country’s agenda.

He, however, indicated that, agitations from gay rights groups are “bound to happen” and could provoke a national discussion on the matter in the future.

Asked by the interviewer about why Ghana’s laws still criminalise homosexuality, Nana Akufo-Addo said: “This is a socio-cultural issue, if you like,” adding: “I don’t believe that in Ghana, so far, a sufficiently strong coalition has emerged which is having that impact on public opinion that will say: ‘Change it [the law], let’s then have a new paradigm in Ghana”.

The President however, said: “I think that it is something that is bound to happen”.

Asked by the interviewer: “What’s going to provoke it, what’s going to make it happen?” President Akufo-Addo said: “Oh, like elsewhere in the world, the activities of individuals [and] groups”.

He gave examples of how countries such as England, which in the past abhorred homosexuality, have over the years succumbed to pressure from LGBT lobbyists to amend their laws to accommodate same-sex relationship.

“I grew up in England; I went to school as a young boy in England and I grew up at a time in England when homosexuality was banned there, it was illegal and I lived in the period when British politicians thought it was anathema to think about changing the law and suddenly the activities of individuals, of groups, a certain awareness, a certain development grew and grew and grew stronger and it forced a change in law. I believe those are the same processes that will bring about changes in our situation.”

The president, however, pointed out that: “At the moment, I don’t feel and I don’t see that in Ghana, there is that strong current of opinion that will say: ‘This is something that we need even deal with’. It’s not, so far, a matter which is on the agenda.”

His position has angered many Ghanaians who are quite emotional about the subject, as they’ve taken him on for not bodly rejecting the idea about homosexuality being accepted in Ghana in future.

Homosexuality as a crime

Under Ghanaian criminal law, same-sex sexual activity is illegal, owing to the criminal code’s stance on unnatural carnal knowledge.
Persons found to have fallen foul of this law are liable to a prison term ranging from five years to 25 years, per Section 104 of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, 2003.

Ghana is one of 75 countries around the world where it is still illegal to be a homosexual.

There have been pockets of instances where perceived homosexuals have been attacked by those against the practice either on the basis of religion or culture.

As a result, some human rights groups in Ghana, have often advocated for the respect of the rights of such individuals to practice their sexual preference without any attacks.

The criminalization of homosexuality, found in most sub-Saharan African countries, has seen some pressure from the international community prompting accusations of bullying.

Late Atta Mills was firmly against homosexuality

In 2011, then-President John Atta Mills rubbished the UK’s threat to cut aid if he refused to consider legalizing homosexuality in Ghana.

UK Prime Minister at the time, David Cameron, had said aid would be cut to countries which failed to respect gay rights.

But the late-President was adamant that the UK could not impose its values on Ghana.

Scottish MPs hit hard at Mahama over gay rights

In 2016, some Members of the Scottish Parliament called on their government to confront then President John Mahama on Ghana’s alleged abuses of homosexuals.

The President then had been invited to address (MPs) in the Scottish Parliament, but some opposition MPs said the invitation undermined the safety of the Scottish Parliament for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

We’re fed up with demands for gay rights – Speaker

In July 2017, the Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Oquaye, warned that Ghana would not countenance the aggressive push by external forces to accept acts such as homosexuality and bestiality.

His caution followed a courtesy call by Amnesty International, where they made demands including a scrapping of the death penalty from the statute books.

But the Speaker said African leaders are getting tired of some of these demands on the basis of human rights.

“Following what Tony Blair said which I personally wrote him a letter that if we do not go the homosexual way, it was going to affect their aid to us. Honestly in view of these developments, we Africans are also concerned about certain things that may appear really intellectual …It is becoming a human right in some countries. The right to do homosexuality. The right for a human being to sleep with an animal. We are tired of some of these things and we must be frank about it. ..I think all these matters need to be seriously interrogated …,” Prof. Ocquaye said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ghana’s culture cannot support homosexuality – Christian Council appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The President, once a human rights activist and a lawyer, however, said if activism in favour of the legalization of homosexuality heightens, that could trigger a change in Ghana’s laws.

[contextly_sidebar id=”dU7l9tlVn7cZTqb51RxXObnVtMf3UuC3″]In an interview with Qatar-based Al Jazeera, President Akufo-Addo said he felt such a push was “bound to happen” and possibly pave the way for the decriminalization of homosexuality.

Despite Ghana’s standing as a beacon of democracy on the African continent, the country’s decision not to succumb to advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights, has been questioned by some sections of the international community and even met by indirect threats.

Without making any definite pronouncement on the issue during the interview, President Akufo-Addo said any possible change will only come after a strong concerted push for LGBT rights from some sections of the public.

“For these socio-cultural issues, I don’t believe that in Ghana so far, a sufficiently strong coalition has emerged which is having that much impact on public opinion that will say; change it,” he stated.

Public advocacy

The President noted that, the acceptance of LGBT has always started with protests, and he recalled that even in the countries that now champion LGBT rights, homosexuality was illegal until activism brought change.

“I grew up at a time in England where homosexuality was banned, it was illegal and I lived in a period where British politicians thought it was anathema to even think about changing the law and then suddenly, the activities of individuals and groups… grew and grew stronger and enforced the change in the law.”

President Akufo-Addo, thus said “those are the same processes that will bring about changes [in Ghana].”

But “at the moment, I don’t feel that there is that strong current of opinion that is saying this is something that we need you to deal with. It is not so far a matter which is on the agenda,” he added.

Homosexuality as a crime

Under Ghanaian criminal law, same-sex sexual activity is illegal, owing to the criminal code’s stance on unnatural carnal knowledge.

Persons found to have fallen foul of this law are liable to a prison term ranging from five years to 25 years, per Section 104 of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, 2003.

Ghana is one of 75 countries around the world where it is still illegal to be a homosexual.

There have been pockets of instances where perceived homosexuals have been attacked by those against the practice either on the basis of religion or culture.

As a result, some human rights groups in Ghana, have often advocated for the respect of the rights of such individuals to practice their sexual preference without any attacks.

The criminalization of homosexuality, found in most sub-Saharan African countries, has seen some pressure from the international community prompting accusations of bullying.

Late Atta Mills was firmly against homosexuality

In 2011, then-President John Atta Mills rubbished the UK’s threat to cut aid if he refused to consider legalizing homosexuality in Ghana.

UK Prime Minister at the time, David Cameron, had said aid would be cut to countries which failed to respect gay rights.

But the late-President was adamant that the UK could not impose its values on Ghana.

Scottish MPs hit hard at Mahama over gay rights

In 2016, some Members of the Scottish Parliament called on their government to confront then President John Mahama on Ghana’s alleged abuses of homosexuals.

The President then had been invited to address (MPs) in the Scottish Parliament, but some opposition MPs said the invitation undermined the safety of the Scottish Parliament for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

We’re fed up with demands for gay rights – Speaker

Most recently, Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye, stressed to an Amnesty International delegation that Ghana would not countenance any push by external forces to accept homosexuality.

About 40 nations within the 54-member Commonwealth of Nations are noted to have laws banning homosexuality that are ironically viewed as offsets of British colonial rule.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Legalizing homosexuality not a pressing social issue in Ghana – Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

His remarks follow advocacy from a group of eight Ghanaians in Canada who have petitioned the Canadian government to put pressure on Ghana to decriminalize homosexuality.

[contextly_sidebar id=”1TbjaBj96KLfTbSkINDSucn9ollIzlYf”]Addressing the press in Parliament on Wednesday, the Assin South MP said the country must stick to its position not to legalize homosexuality in spite of international pressure.

“…Without prejudice to the position of the Parliament of Ghana, Government of Ghana, any religious body or political party on the subject of homosexuality, lesbianism and bestiality, premised on my deepest convictions and principles as a Christian, Reverend Minister and a proud advocate of Jesus Christ and legislator, Member of Parliament for Assin South constituency, I hereby openly, and unequivocally declare my firm position against the views of the members of an advocacy group who on Thursday, August 17, 2017 sought to canvass support from certain powerful persons in institutions in Canada to put pressure on Ghana to decriminalize homosexuality.”

Describing the acts by the eight Ghanaians as a “demonic agenda,” Mr. Fordjour who is also the Chairman of Ghana-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Association as well as a Vice Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Members Holding Offices of Profit said such deeds defile the traditions and customs of the country.

“It is worth stating that the constitution of Ghana makes adequate provision which debar homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality and such acts that defile the core tenets of our beliefs, values, customs and traditions as a people,” he added.

The issue over Ghana’s legalization of homosexuality continues to be an unending debate in the country.

Whereas some human rights activists call for its legalization, others argue against it.

We’re fed up with demands for gay rights – Speaker

Speaker of Parliament, Prof Mike Oquaye, in July 2017 warned that Ghana would not countenance the aggressive push by external forces to accept acts such as homosexuality, bestiality among others.

“Following what Tony Blair said which I personally wrote him a letter that if we do not go the homosexual way, it was going to affect their aid to us. Honestly in view of these developments, we Africans are also concerned about certain things that may appear really intellectual …It is becoming a human right in some countries; the right to do homosexuality, the right for a human being to sleep with an animal. We are tired of some of these things and we must be frank about it…I think all these matters need to be seriously interrogated,” said the Speaker when some official from Amnesty International paid a courtesy call on him.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey & Duke M. Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Resist pressure to legalize homosexuality – MP appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.