By Josephine Akari.
The freedom of rights or otherwise of LGBTQI+ persons continues to dominate discussions in the Ghanaian media. Even though the practice remains questionable, so far as the cultural values of the country are concerned, the opponents of the Anti- LGBTQ Bill argue that they have the right to choose their preferred sexual orientation as the Constitution of Ghana allows for freedom of choice. It is for such reasons that efforts are being made by some Parliamentarians to pass the Anti LGBTQI+ Bill. Josephine Akari sampled views of a cross section of the public on whether the Bill, which is currently before Parliament, should be passed.
A cross section of the public who spoke to GBC News supported the decision for the Bill to be passed as the practice is an affront to the cultural values of the country.
”I think the Bill should be passed because if we should involve rights all the time, then we must say that arm robbers also have the right to steal which is not right. I believe the Bill should be passed.”
“The practice of LGBTQI+ is detrimental to the values of this country. We should laud the Parliamentarians for the decision to pass the Anti LGBTQI+ Bill,” one person said.
The interviewees also called on leaders to exploit and make good use of the country’s natural resources to be self-sufficient as the acceptance of LGBTQI+ is a conditionality for assistance from advanced countries who believe in same sex marriage and homosexuality.
”One issue with this country is that we do not make good use of our natural resources, otherwise, we will need not to seek assistance from these Advanced countries who believe in these deviants’ acts. It is about time the country rose to its feet to become self-sufficient,” some activists stated.
Debate in the LGBTQI+ Bill persists as the public awaits the fate of the Bill.
