The role of the
student as intrinsic to
eradicating homosexuality in Ghana
A report published in Nature Magazine, a scientific journal, in 2000 was an
eye-opener for me on the controversial subject of homosexuality. A baby had
been born with both male and female sexual organs, so doctors decided to remove
the female organ which was less developed. The baby was thus made into a male
although when he grew up it became obvious that he was, biologically, a female.
This developed into a situation of acute gender confusion, and the person
became a homosexual in his sexual orientation. Naturally, the doctors who
performed the initial operation regretted their hasty action but that person
had to live with its consequences for the rest of his/her life. This is not the
sole “cause” of homosexuality but it must serve to persuade us to think about
how we view homosexuals and their place in society.
The doctors in
the report made a professional judgment which turned out to be inadvertently naive.
They learnt from their mistake; they showed their remorse in the resolution
that in subsequent situations, the individual would be allowed to grow with
both organs until such age when it could be ascertained which gender hormone
was predominant in the body, only then would a surgery be performed to correct
the sex issue. I have cited the report, not because I’m an advocate for
homosexuality, but because we always have genuine reasons to revisit our
position on issues in life. I stand for
justice. My lesson from that report: I—like many others—assume wrongly that homosexuality
is just a lifestyle; some have that lifestyle imposed on them. We do not know
for sure what makes a person homosexual. Sadly, homophobes fail to factor such issue
into their biases before they jump on the hate wagon. And Ghanaians have
certainly joined that wagon.
The italicized
inscription above is in a T-shirt designed by the Student Representative Council
(SRC) in one tertiary institution in the country, for their campaign against
homosexuality in Ghana. A female student wore one to my class though she could
not explain the sentiment; neither could the other students though they are
supporting the course. The students’ support for an issue they,
apparently, do not understand has raised my apprehension, knowing the passion
of the youth and how easily they could be inflamed. I wonder if our tertiary
students can handle homosexual issues critically. I am not sure that they
understand the complexities regarding homosexuality. They should, at least, analyze
issues objectively before they assume a stand. The adult Ghanaian society must guide
the youth to express disapproval without being homophobic. That would exhibit
maturity.
But considering
the rigid stance against homosexuality by majority of Ghanaians, it would be
difficult to hope for any objectivity from the adult population--traditionalists,
policy makers as well as the clergy. The latter’s argument is that the ancient
cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed due to homosexual lifestyle and that
God hates the practice. Of course, there is also the sub-argument that the
practice is unacceptable in the Ghanaian culture. My response to the first
argument is that God does hate homosexuality, but the same scripture that
condemns it also condemns fornication, idol worship, adultery, stealing, greed,
drunkenness, slander and extortion. According to 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11, “all
doing such have no share in the kingdom of God” (The Living Bible), so why are
the clergy and other holier-than-thou people picking homosexuals for
persecution? Several female students in tertiary institutions leave their names
with hotels and taxi drivers so that they could be picked by males who desire sexual
fun. Some male students even act as pimps. All such individuals commit
fornication; is anybody trying to eradicate that practice?
What about the
numerous acts of adultery occurring in our society, even in the churches; are
the pastors eradicating such activities? Are they themselves leading exemplary
lives regarding such immoral practices? What about individual Ghanaians who are
becoming pastors overnight so they can live on church collection, which these
days gets donated in heavy amounts so the donors would be protected from the evil
influence of the witches? What about the numerous females who are
branded witches by church leaders? Last year, an elderly woman was accused of
witchcraft—by a pastor--and burnt by the supposed victims, in the Greater Accra
Region. Who defended her? Is anyone trying to eradicate such ludicrous
backwardness from the nation?
In spite of the
harm being caused by the activities of charlatans parading as “men of God” in
the country, recently when the mental bill was being discussed in parliament, the
Member of Parliament for Asawasi, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, wanted the inclusion
of such churches because he considers them mental health service providers. My
immediate reaction was how do such victims get to be branded as mad and how do
they get to the churches in the first place? Instead of advocating the
eradication of gross human rights abuses being perpetrated by these church
groups, the MP rather approves of their activities. My question has always been
who protects the ordinary Ghanaian? What about “sakawa “ activities engaged in
by a cross section of the youth of the country, tertiary students included, to
enrich themselves overnight? What campaigns have been launched by various SRCs
to eradicate extortion from the country? These days, student ingenuity is
manifested in examination malpractices in our learning institutions; currently,
some employers do not even trust the degrees awarded to graduates. In spite of
the negative connotations, I am yet to witness any SRC initiate a campaign to
eradicate or reduce examination malpractices. I could go on with the examples.
Need I mention politicians who deceive the electorate with promises they never
intend to fulfil, during election campaign? What about the mindless murder of
Ghanaians on our roads through reckless driving, and allowing such behaviour to
go unpunished? We are so pathetic at waste management that the country is
engulfed by filth, because Ghanaians refuse to clean. Does Ghanaian culture
endorse any of the atrocities listed above? From the Biblical perspective, all
the practices mentioned above are just as morally wrong. Somebody please teach
me Ghanaian culture because I know of only one. It is humane and
practical, not perverse!
Whether
Ghanaians accept it or not, homosexuality has always existed in the country,
and is practiced by people from all walks of life. Some of these are people who
have been trained by the nation; others are knowledgeable people who have so
much to offer the nation in all productive sectors. Should they be ostracized or
persecuted because of their lifestyle and allow their potential to be wasted?
Other communities have been able to accept homosexuals because they are
resourceful human beings and contribute to community development. That is where
Prime Minister David Cameron and President Obama are coming from. The grants
and aid England and United States (US) give to Ghana include taxes and
donations from homosexuals. At least, Westerners are being practical. One can
object to a lifestyle without hating the individuals who indulge in it. Acknowledging
the humanity of homosexuals and respecting their rights does not imply adopting
their lifestyle. Ghanaians should be able to make that distinction. Even
Hollywood has reservations about homosexuality. Whilst the leaders mentioned
above do not have the right to dictate to any nation, they certainly can help to
unmask Ghanaian hypocrisy, which is what the noise about homosexuality really
is. It is absolutely repulsive to close an eye to one wrongdoing and shine the
beam full blast on others of the same magnitude. It is equally reprehensible to
condemn an act but accept the benefits it offers. I wish England and the US would
call Ghana’s bluff. That might compel leadership to sit down and govern--actually
crack their brains, strategize and utilize national resources for national
development. That is what they get elected for.
For once Ghanaians
should practice honesty and drop the superficiality which has become the
hallmark of the nation. If people object to homosexual lifestyles mainly
because of Christian sentiments, then they also know that condemnation really
belongs to God and not to any human being. Only the creator has the moral right
to set standards for humans; and in His own time, he would deal with those who
disregard His moral standards. Until such time, let each of us work to better
our own shortcomings and strive for moral excellence. Live and let live, for
the world is big enough all. It takes all sorts of people to make up the world,
another reality no one can ignore. I hate hypocrisy so if Ghanaians continue
with this vicious hate campaign, then I repeat Jesus’ invitation: “[S]/he
that is without sin among [us], let him[/her] first cast a stone at [the
homosexuals]” (John 8:7: King James Bible).