“I suppose it’s not a social norm, and not a manly thing to do — to feel, discuss feelings. So that’s what I’m giving the finger to. Social norms and stuff…what good are social norms, really? I think all they do is project a limited and harmful image of people. It thus impedes a broader social acceptance of what someone, or a group of people, might actually be like.”
Surprisingly, the title of the book, ‘Towards Holistic Sexual Flourishing in Africa’ was at variance with our thoughts as we independently read Rev Dr Daniel Osei Bediako-Akoto’s book. Invariably, we both believed and were convinced that the book was one of those literature materials that go on and on about how sexuality in the eyes of African men and women differ from that of the rest of the world. We questioned in our minds, “Is the book one of those that preaches about the importance of parental conversation with their children on sexual issues and the reproductive system in general?” We asked if the book was going to pontificate on the lack of parental duties in sexual education among African parents and point them to the right direction.
The concept of the book- ‘Towards Holistic Sexual Flourishing in Africa’– evolves from the history of sex, sexuality and human intimacy through the ages, from our primate past to our robotic future. Previously, chastity belts were used and some ancient civilisations were far ahead of their time when it came to gender equality. We learn how, through the centuries, religion, superstition and morality laws have shaped our view of what is and isn’t palatable.
The writer, Rev Dr Daniel Osei Bediako-Akoto, who produced this 352-page book knows that the sexuality discourse in Africa seems to be focused on issues bothering the female species rather than both male and female and those whose sexuality is described as ambiguous. Thus sexuality entails much more than just sex talks and education.
‘Towards Holistic Sexual Flourishing in Africa’ seeks to bring out the fact that though sexuality is discussed in some African writings, a lot more of the available African literature seek to dwell on either sexuality as a disease, (such as HIV/AIDS) or portray and present sexuality mainly focusing on women and such challenges as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
One major concern of Rev Bediako-Akoto however, is to present sex as a thing of joy as far as it is done out of mutual respect and in a holistic manner that is flourishing to both men and women.
He develops a notion which also serves as the framework of the book in that he sought to ask questions in an attempt to find reasonable answers as to why the concept of redemption is needed to talk about human sexuality. It is not entirely necessary to use redemption to talk about sexuality. However, for the sake of understanding well what is meant to use and have a holistic and Christ-like approach to sex, redemption is made central to the theme and the book at large.
From the onset, the book clearly portrays the Christian opinion of sexuality (The Presbyterian Congregation specifically) thus giving us a well-defined and structured perspective of sexuality in the Christian sense. But it goes further. The book is clear on how societal norms and beliefs might have shaped our thoughts on sexuality.
The author does not leave his argument there. He further links it to the fact that because women are tagged as “sex objects” and species with less power, it is difficult for them to occupy key positions in the church.
The author establishes that more often than not, sex is seen as a tool for procreation and not for pleasure. Thereby, stating that gender is not suitable to be used in just the context of male and female and needs reconsideration by the African society.
As the study focuses on the study group approach mainly from the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev Bediako-Akoto provides details in the fourth chapter of his book. The author exhibits concern about the views from the youth group that he sampled. Indeed, the young adults had been chastised for openly arguing their positions on sex and trying to find answers to the very ambiguous scenarios about sex offered to them by their parents.
Although the writer had a pre-formulated idea on how the study might turn out, it rather came out differently in that youngsters who previously were perceived as finding it rather difficult to open up on sex in the midst of adults, rather shockingly spoke out on their opinions which could indicate a vast change in the mindset of the younger generation and those yet to come.
He continued by pointing out that only a few number of the youth agreed to have heard sexual teachings and awareness from the church. This drops a big burden on the shoulders of the church where men and women need to learn their holistic approach to sexuality.
He dwells on the fact that not only should sex education and teaching be left to parents but all. Inclusively, men and women of God are tasked greatly to change the perception on how sexuality is seen in the African society in order to reach that “Holistic sexual Flourishing status.”
Rev Bediako-Akoto insists that the view of women on sexuality and other general issues should not be ignored. He advises that women should be brought to take up key and higher positions in society. He advises for indigenous concepts of sex education to be employed at all levels in order to remove the misconceptions created around the topic and which are making sex look like a taboo and a “no-go” area topic in the African society.
In the author’s estimation, those indigenous paradigms need to be affirming and assuring enough to enable both the young and the old, men and women of God, open up on sexuality and help address issues on the topic as it stands in Africa.
Number of pages: 351
Author: Rev Dr Daniel Osei Bediako-Akoto, Presbyterian Minister
Publisher: Boekencentrum Publishing House, The Netherlands
Review by: Mizpah Etormenye Mensavie-Ayivor & Vicky Wireko-Andoh