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No to gay
lesbian conference in ghana
15 Sept 2006- The government of Ghana has banned
the organising and hosting of a Gay and Lesbian conference in Ghana. The
Conference, which had been scheduled for Accra in the third week of
September was to have been attended by Gays and Lesbians from all over
the world.
In a statement signed by Mr Kwame Bartels, Minister of Information and
National Orientation, They government indicated that "Government would
like to make it absolutely clear that it shall not permit the proposed
conference of International Gays and Lesbians to take place anywhere in
Ghana….Government does not and shall not condone any such activity which
violently offends the culture, morality and heritage of the entire
people of Ghana," he added
Mr Bartels said Ghanaians were a unique people whose
culture, morality and heritage totally abhorred homosexual and lesbian
practices and any other form of unnatural sexual acts. "Unnatural carnal
knowledge is illegal under our criminal code. Homosexuality, lesbianism
and bestiality are therefore offences under the laws of Ghana."
Mr Bartels said the Minister of the Interior had been directed to
investigate, through the security agencies, the officials who were
purported to have given permission for the organizing of the conference
at the International Conference Centre.
"The Minister (of the Interior) is further directed to institute
disciplinary action if they are found to have acted in contravention of
our laws." Many members of the public, including the clergy, had spoken
against the hosting of the conference in Ghana, saying it offended the
culture and sensibilities of the country Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu,
National Chief Imam, has congratulated the Government for turning down
the application for gays and lesbians to hold an international
conference in Ghana. A statement issued from the Office of the Chief
Imam called on religious bodies in the country to support the Government
in this venture for the sake of morality and the spiritual values of
Ghanaians and to prevent calamities and curses.
Meanwhile , The Gay & Lesbian Association of Ghana has issued a
statement urging those who would quote the Bible, the Koran, the Talmud
or any other such religious document to remember that all religions of
the world have a variation on: “judge not, lest ye be judged” The
association has also denied ever discussing, nor ever decided to
organize an international Lesbian/ Gay/ Bisexual/ Transgender [LGBT]
conference in Ghana.
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