A section of Ghanaians have described some pro- LGBTQI+ groups as perpetuators of evil and gradually forcing the seat of government to consent to same sex practice in the country.
The group which is made up of 15 accomplished professionals in academia have vehemently opposed to the ‘Proper Human Sexual and Ghanaian Family Values Bill’ 2021, also known as the Anti LGBTQI+ bill, seeking to criminalise the advocacy and practice of homosexuality in Ghana.
Following their presser on Monday October 4, 2021, led by an accomplished lawyer and a lead council for President Akufo-Addo during the 2020 election petition, Mr. Akoto Ampaw, said the current bill in it form preaches hate against gays and homosexuals and are already hinting of severe repercussions on Ghana should the bill be passed.
But this statement has attracted public outcry considering the religious nature of Ghanaians with some asking various radio stations and media houses to stop giving them the platform to spread their message.
Among those speaking on various media platforms after the release of the pro LGBTQI+ was the former General Secretary of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev Dr. Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, arguing that the legislators sponsoring the bill are fighting for the “national conscience of the country”, hence must be given the needed support.
“We live in a democratic society and people have dissenting views but we must look at the greater good of the people. The Speaker has condemned it so has the President and other statesmen so we shouldn’t take their comments for granted.
“This is not our value and culture. We cannot accept it because it will only destroy us. Countries have resisted and we can do it too because others are also looking up to Ghana,” he stated.
He further charged church leaders, Muslim leaders, traditional leaders, and others not to leave the fight for only the MPs, adding these LGBTQI+ people have powerful people behind them.
Responding to these Anti LGBTQI+ is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Mr. Sam George, who says the groups that are crusading for the Anti LGBTQ+ bill cannot override the desire of the majority.
Mr. George said majority of Ghanaians do not want to tolerate same-sex relationships or people with different sexual orientations.
Speaking on ‘The Pulse on JoyNews’ and monitored by Republic Press (RP) said an afro-barometer survey conducted by CDD-Ghana of which some of the members opposing the Anti LGBTQ+ bill are part stated that social tolerance in Ghana is extremely high.
“Ghanaians are tolerant of different ethnicities by 92%, different religions by 91%, different political parties by 90%, different immigrant and foreign workers by 74%, but these same Ghanaians are only 7% tolerant of homosexuals. It tells you what the people of Ghana want,” he stated.
The MP stated that the report also revealed that Ghana is fourth on the continent, behind Senegal, Liberia, and Malawi, when it comes to intolerance towards people of different sexual identities and orientations.
“We are not ready to tolerate it, that is who we are, our people say they don’t want it. These personalities do not hold the torch, whatsoever, to the strength of the collective will of the majority of Ghanaians and their personal agendas will not override the desire of the majority of the people,” he told Ayisha Ibrahim, the host of the show.
Base on this, RP went to Kwame Nkrumah Circle to sample views on whether Ghanaians are ready to accept same sex, out of the 13 people the paper spoke with only two who say society is dynamic and therefore Ghanaians must adopt to changes.
The remaining 11 opposed any attempt by government, groups or individuals who would initiate any move all in the name of Human Rights.
