Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has engaged religious and faith-based leaders on Human Rights and Rights Based Approach issues regarding LGBTQ+ in Koforidua.
The conference is aimed at discussing the right approach to protecting and respecting the rights of sexual minorities in Ghana.
William Nyarko, Executive Director for African Centre for International Law emphasized on the need to tolerate others as enshrined in the 1992 constitution.
He indicated that Chapter 5 of the constitution spells out clearly the rights of all citizens and therefore, must be taken into consideration as far as addressing the issue of LGBTQ+.
Mr. Nyarko was optimistic meeting up with religious and faith-based leaders will broaden up the conversation as they will in turn also educate their followers and members on the rights of these minorities in the country.
Despite supporting the need to protect the children of the country from engaging in such acts, Mr. Nyarko was of the view calling for a law against perpetrators should the action of the state and not a private person, as the state cannot bear such costs in accordance with the constitution.
He, however, called for a holistic approach in dealing with the matter rather than declaring it a crime with a legal backing.
Meanwhile, Dr. Nuworza Kugbey, a Psychologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Environment and Sustainable Development had earlier schooled the leaders on the need to appreciate the rights of their followers and members in the midst of acknowledging their religious sentiments.
He raised issues of great transformation that had occured in regards to some beliefs of religious groups that have been forgone and reformed over the years.
According to him, some of these beliefs were infringing on rights of members instead of rather serving as punishment or reformation to those accused to have committed sin, contrary to the laws governing their activities.
Some of the religious and faith-based leaders were grateful for the in-depth knowledge acquired during the two-day conference as the they have now been abreast with the issue of LGBTQ.
“We have come to realize that it is not the gay people who are calling for a law to protect them but rather some individuals who are seeking legal backing to stop their activities. We didn’t knew that earlier on but this training has equiped us a lot on the matter” some pastors admitted.
Others also called on Ghanaians not to dispel people engaging is such acts but rather embrace and help reform them back into the society.
Implications of the Bill on the Economy
Ghana is will face possible termination from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and loss of about $800m.
Revenue from the tourism sector is also expected to drop as tourists won’t be comfortable to visit countries with such laws.
Reference
Uganda on 31st October, 2023 was terminated from AGOA after enhancing law against activities of LGBTQ.
Origin of Criminalization of certain rights
Biblical history has it that an incident happened in Sodom and Gomorrah in 2,000B.C-400B.C
Fleta also came on 1290 to describe sodomy as a sin against God as crime was tried in spiritual courts.
Punishment comprised of buried alive or burnt to death of perpetrators.
The Buggery Act of 1533 introduced by King Henry VIII as crime tried in ecclesiastical courts was incorporated into secular law tried by the state.
Also in 1828, sexual intercourse between two males was criminalized, punishment was death, James Pratt and John Smith executed by hanging in 1835.
In 1892, homosexuality was first criminalized in Gold Coast, British colony, Offences Against Person Act 1828 applied in all British colonies.
Ghana introduced the Criminal code, 1960 – Section 104, punishable 3 years.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
