Despite the stark opposition on homosexuality in Ghana, United States’ Ambassador Robert P. Jackson has stated that the LGBT group should not be chastised for their sexuality.
Mr Robert Jackson, in a discussion on ’21 minutes with KKB’, remarked, “I believe that everyone should enjoy the same human rights and personally I believe that people are either born heterosexual or homosexual. It’s not a lifestyle choice.”
The issue of homosexuality and its legalization in the country has been a huge subject of debate.
Without making any definite pronouncement on the issue during an interview with Qatar-based Al Jazeera, President Akufo-Addo had stated that any possible change will only come after a strong concerted push for LGBT rights from some sections of the public.
“For these socio-cultural issues, I don’t believe that in Ghana so far, a sufficiently strong coalition has emerged which is having that much impact on public opinion that will say; change it,” he stated.
Citizens, including religious leaders came at the tail of the president for making what they described as ‘unpleasant’ utterances on the subject.
According to the Diplomat however, people are naturally born gay while adding statistically, about 10% of people are born gay. To him Ghanaians are not privy to the large number of members of the LGBT fraternity. He explained that due to stereotypes and victimization, people are unable to openly admit to being gay.
“I think there are far more gays in Ghana than Ghanaians realize but because of societal attitudes they keep their sexuality very private," the diplomat said as he took his turn in an interaction with GhanaWeb editor Kwabena Kyenkyenhene Boateng on '21 minutes with KKB'.
While there has been an increase in the acceptance of homosexuality in most western countries, particularly the US, Ghana remains one of the several countries that are yet to officially embrace and tolerate persons who may not necessarily be 'straight'. This, some attribute to religious belief systems as well as culture.
In a response to whether or not he thinks it is myopic for anybody to deny another of some basic human rights just because of the individual's sexuality, the US Ambassador to Ghana responded in the affirmative saying, 'I do think it's myopic. I think it reflects a lack of understanding of the science...I think that many of those Ghanaians if they study the issue they might come to a different conclusion."
The US Ambassador was however quick to add that his comments do not in any way suggest that the United States is forcing any particular country to legalize homosexuality. “The United States is not asking anyone to change their religious beliefs or to legalize homosexuality. We are asking that all people be treated the same – that they have the same human rights and the right to privacy," he said.
Source: Ghanaweb.com
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What Ghanaians need is education on the subject. We have men living with us who have female organs and we have females who have male organs and so for such people what can we do to help them. We can not prevent them from getting married. People who are hundren percent okay get into this gay thing for lack of knowledge, they don't know that some people are male in female dresses or female in male dresses. Please let us take the pain to educate our selves so that we can help those who genuinely need help.
The Failure our our journalist again to ask write questions as OTABIL said. when did GAY become HUMAN RIGHT ISSUE or a Scientific fact . KKB , you deliberately asked a leading Question prepared to feed into the Ambassodor's agenda. This is a Shame. Lift your game
@YAW, we should care about that because the end results is seen outside the bedroom. Wait until someone entice your innocent son with money into being a g@y. In Ghana we have wives and husbands and not partners. All these terms were brought about because of such ***barred word***.
You should have been on the next flight to US right after this comment. Sh@me on you. Tell USA to also embrace Polygamy, drugs trade and usage before talking to Africa about ***barred word*** ***barred word***. If the only thing that will qualify us not to be "sh1thole" is to embrace this nasty thing, then please we want to be Sh1th0le today, tomorrow and forever. Your great grand ancestors who made America what it is today will be very disappointed in the current generation. If your father married a man, I am not sure you will be here talking this Tr@sh.
This is a veritable certainty!! What Ghanaians abhor is the pushy forceful drive for us to legislate and make ceremonies about it!! What I do with my wife is no ones business!! Why should I care about what you do with your partner in the recess of your bedroom???!!!