In his recent interview with Gulf television news channel, Al Jazeera, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s comments that same-sex relationships was currently not on the agenda of the nation but would show up in due course, has resurrected the homosexuality debate in Ghana.
Politicisation:
Following the rather ambiguous position in the interview, a sharp contrast was projected with a video clip of late former President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills, emphatically denouncing homosexuality upfront to show the difference between him and Nana Akufo-Addo. Religious leaders who have taken a strong stand against same-sex relationships have put a question to Nana Addo seeking clarification on his position.
I recall how immediate past President John Dramani Mahama was chastised by his political opponents following confirmation of his friendship with gay activist, Andrew Solomon, questioning “what was beneath their friendship.” Now, a serious matter that could drastically alter some of our most positive cultures has been turned into political football.
Culture:
It is important that we move the gay issue away from the field of politics and take a forward looking stand that would preserve our people as a nation. When God created man, he created woman for his companion. Man must live with a woman and a woman must live with a man. Anything to the contrary is not natural and must not be imposed on a people who find it unacceptable.
Ghanaian culture regardless of tribe or ethnic group does not accept same-sex relationships. Same-sex marriage and culture is not found or approved anywhere in our land. That is how our forebears have preserved our heritage and the least we can do is to maintain it.
How a man, born of a woman with all his “eyes” open and the rest of his God-given senses intact, fails to be attracted to woman but settles for his fellow man for sexual relationship is hard to comprehend. Some of my Ghanaian friends now living in America have now taken a softer stand. Have they been brainwashed? When? Why? How?
Human rights:
In the Al Jazeera interview, the question was posed in the human rights context. Obviously the President, whose claim to fame is in the area of human rights; answered the question consistent with his reputation as a seasoned human rights lawyer. Unfortunately I am yet to be convinced that homosexuality is a human right that must be upheld.
According to the Holy Bible, by which Nana Ado swore the Presidential oath, homosexuality is a sin and an evil one at that. In the biblical context therefore, homosexuality is like stealing, murder, adultery etc. And those who engage in these sins but think they are better that “homosexual sinners” ought to rethink their positions.
To the extent that stealing, murder and all the other sins listed in scripture have not been permitted in law, by any society, in the name of human rights, homosexuality cannot be an exception. The human rights people must get this right and focus on the positive human rights such as health for all, education, employment, life etc.
Our future:
As a small developing country striving to deal with a myriad of basic everyday life challenges, it will be really out of order to accept the sin of homosexuality among us. We must make this clear and plain to the whole wide world and emphasise that it is not a human rights issue.
The construction I put on our President’s interview was that power to amend the constitution and other laws of the land rests with the people. To that end, it is the people who will decide to call for change if they want it.
I am convinced that; the people of Ghana do not want homosexuality legalised. They did not want it yesterday; they do not want it today and will not want it tomorrow.
Instead of the President’s anticipated gay movement swelling up over time, I think we are rather headed towards a heavy anti-gay movement that would sponsor legislation to prevent the discussion of the unnatural behaviour altogether. The gay culture would be hard to sell in Ghana, if not impossible.
The Last Uprising
…with William Dowokpor