Should homosexuality be legalised in Ghana?

A recent interview our President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo granted to Al Jazeera has generated controversy and confusion. As an astute politician, the President tried to be diplomatic by making two statements which pro and anti- homosexual proponents saw as contradictory.

His first statement was that the issue of homosexuality is not on his table. Some saw this as a show of his hatred for homosexuals. His second statement was that the agitation for recognition is bound to intensify and given recognition.

Some saw this as a show of his love for homosexuals. The same person is seen by some as loving homosexuals and hating them at the same time. This is politics for you!

The confusion about homosexuality starts with its name; it is derived from two words, ouoc from Greek which means same and sexus from Latin which means sex.

Homosexuality, therefore, means ‘same sex’, the romantic, emotional or sexual attraction of people of the same sex or the voluntary sexual activity.

Homosexuality comes in many forms; gays are men in same-sex relationships. Lesbianism or sapphism or sapphic love is about women in same-sex activities.

Inverts are those who appear permanently trapped in homosexuality while perverts are the ‘part-timers’ sexual contact with a person of the same sex for pleasure.

Homosexuality is not new. The first recorded history of homosexuality was made in ancient Egypt in 2,200 BC when two men lived as a couple. In their memory there is a statue of two men with their noses almost touching.

Some social animals such as birds, reptiles, fishes, amphibians and mammals are also known to show homosexual behaviour in one or more of the following: sex, copulation, courtship, mating games, genital stimulation, affection, pair bonding or parenting.

A study in 1995 showed homosexuality is more common than we think. The average ratio is 10 per cent for men and five per cent for women.

At the same time 10 per cent of men were known to be bisexual while five per cent of women were known to be bisexual.

This means 15 per cent of all men and 15 per cent of all women are bisexuals (homosexuals and bisexuals).

Today, studies show that same sex relationship is increasing everywhere in the world. The situation cuts across the social spectrum: from bishops, lawmakers to young students.

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Why same sex relationship?

The exact causes of homosexuality are not known. However biological, psychological, socio-cultural and economic factors may predispose a person to homosexuality.

Some people get into same-sex relationships out of curiosity. The media constantly shows same-sex partners in a happy life. They include top movie and movie stars, bishops and politicians.

In our present economic situation in which many parents shirk their responsibilities, children are left to do what pleases them. They become vulnerable to all kinds of experimentation, including homosexuality.

Today the world has become a global village and we have become vulnerable to lifestyles such as homosexuality which is alien and even a taboo to our cultural and traditional practices.

Should homosexuality be legalised in Ghana?

Some praise the wisdom in legalising homosexuality and argue that denying same-sex the right to marry means denying them of their fundamental human rights.

The 1992 Constitution of Ghana, for example, gives every Ghanaian his/her basic human rights – right to be protected, right to freedom of choice, liberty, thought and expression.

Therefore, if two adults engage in a homosexual act and do not infringe on the right of others, they are deemed not to have caused any offence. No one must be deprived of his/her liberty.

Some are against homosexuality. Most churches also appreciate that some people may have homosexual tendencies. This is not a sin.

Most churches, however, are against homosexual acts. In fact, while Pope John Paul states that homosexuality is immoral, unhealthy and a grave sin, the Catholic Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. Palmer Buckle, says homosexuality is not a basic human right. God says it an abomination.

Today, while some countries such as Nigeria and Zimbabwe have abolished homosexuality, others such as the United States and Ireland have legalised it.

Some donor countries are even threatening to withdraw assistance to poor countries that do not legalise homosexuality.

God is his wisdom made us male and female and called us into a relationship pleasing to him. He gave specific body parts to a man and a woman and commanded them to multiply.

Sexual activity must, therefore, be restricted to a man and a woman. It is only in a man and woman relationship that human beings can uphold our human culture in transmission of life through natural reproduction.

Homosexuals are not born; they are made by wrong choices in life but we can never be wiser and adopt any life style better than what our Maker has established. Any attempt to do any better than what God has established fails.

Should homosexuality be legalised in Ghana? Join the debate but let your focus be what brings dignity to human beings, marriage and family life.

(jyboakye01@gmail.com)