MPs to reject bill seeking to legalise homosexuality

Members of Parliament (MPs) last Tuesday gave the strongest indication yet that they would reject any bill that would seek to legalise homosexuality in the country.

They said the country's laws, culture and religious beliefs were against gayism and lesbianism and so they, being the representatives of the people, would not succumb to any Western pressure to legalise the heinous practices.

Commenting on the subject in Parliament, the legislators said homosexuality was not a human rights issue as was being propounded in some quarters but rather a health challenge due to its serious health implications.

They noted that homosexuals should seek psychiatric treatment or counselling from imams and pastors since the practice was abnormal.

The comments followed statements made by the MP for Ho and President of the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship, Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah; the MP for Krachi West, Mr Helen Adzo Ntoso, and the MP for Ledzokuku, Dr Bernard Okoe Boye, on homosexuality.

The MPs said homosexuality had serious health implications and urged Parliament and the government to resist any pressure to legalise it.

Contributions

The Minority Chief Whip, Alhaji Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, indicated that he expected African leaders to tell the Western leaders at international fora that homosexuality was against African culture and religious beliefs.

He said homosexuality was not a rights issue, but rather "it is a serious health issue".

The Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye, recently indicated that he would resign rather than preside over a legislation to legalise homosexuality.

However, Alhaji Muntaka urged the Speaker not to resign but stay and join the MPs to fight it and throw it out.

He said if any MP should introduce such a bill as a private member bill, "we will fight it. We will not even entertain that”.

The First Deputy Majority Whip, Mr Mathew Nyindam, wondered what kind of right would allow a man to have sex with a man.

"We condemn it and we should not support it. Even the laws of the country don't support homosexuality," he stated.

Mr Nyindam added that the homosexuals needed deliverance.

Ranking member

The Ranking Member on the Gender and Children Committee, Ms Laadi Ayii Ayamba, said they happened to be at a forum recently where the issue of homosexuality was discussed.

She indicated that they, the MPs, made it clear that they would not support the legalisation of homosexuality.

Ms Ayamba said homosexuality was "very horrible and not acceptable" besides the fact that it did not lead to procreation.

"We will not take it. We will not be here to support men marrying men and women marrying women," she stressed.

The MP for Wa Central, Dr Rashid Pelpuo, said Parliament should never discuss the issue of homosexuality again, stating: "We cannot accept it."

The Second Deputy Speaker, Mr Alban Bagbin, said homosexuality was not an issue at all in Africa, noting that Ghana would not compromise on its position on it.

"We will not stand against God. We will not be misled. We are no longer small boys and girls," he said and added that the future of the world was in the hands of Africa.

Mr Bagbin stated if the need be, the House would move a motion to give a clear indication that Ghana would not compromise its stance on homosexuality.