The role of the
student as intrinsic to
eradicating homosexuality in Ghana
eradicating homosexuality in Ghana
Mr. K. B.
Asante’s article in the February 6, 2012 edition of the Daily Graphic made me
very uneasy. Usually, I enjoy his articles due to their candid and realistic
nature, but I must state that the article in question was rather hollow. While
Mr. Asante was factual about global political hypocrisy and African governance,
his trivialization of homosexuality in Ghana rendered his article myopic and
portrayed him as out of tune with the reality of homophobia in the country. I
take this opportunity to update him, especially, in the face of a recent attack
on homosexuals in Accra, Daily Graphic, March 16, 2012, p.25.
What Makes a
Homosexual?
A report
published in Nature Magazine, a scientific journal, in 2000 enlightened 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 resolved that in subsequent
situations, the individual would be allowed to grow with both organs until 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. That report taught me that I—like many
others—assume wrongly that homosexuality is just a lifestyle; some have that
lifestyle imposed on them. In short, 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 some 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 first year female student wore one to class
though neither she nor her mates could explain the sentiment. The SRC President
explained that consultation with knowledgeable people from different
backgrounds, and the perceived Ghanaian attitude yielded that theme. 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. The recent attack proves I was right to be apprehensive. Can our
tertiary students handle homosexual issues critically? Do they understand the
complexities regarding homosexuality? Mr. Asante’s article made me doubt the
older generation’s appreciation of the issue. So who guides the youth to
express disapproval without being homophobic, thus exhibit maturity through
objectivity?
Considering the
rigid stance against homosexuality by majority of Ghanaians, dare one hope for
any objectivity from the adult population--traditionalists, policy makers, the
clergy? The latter uses the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to substantiate God’s
hatred for homosexuality. There is also the sub-argument that “Ghanaian culture
frowns on homosexuality”. My response to the first argument is that the same
scripture that condemns homosexuality 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 have the clergy and other holier-than-thou people targeted
homosexuals only? Several female students in tertiary institutions leave their
names with hotels and taxi drivers so that they could be picked by males who
desire sex. Some male students are pimps. Is anybody trying to eradicate fornication?
And the numerous
acts of adultery occurring in our society, even in the churches; are the
pastors eradicating such activities? Are the clergy leading exemplary lives?
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 protected her? Is anyone
trying to eradicate such ludicrous backwardness from the nation? Ghanaian
backwardness is not amusing, Mr. Asante.
True Culture
In spite of the
harm being caused by the activities of charlatans parading as “men of God” in
the country, last year when the mental bill was being discussed in parliament, the
Member of Parliament for Asawasi, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, wanted the inclusion
of churches because he considers them mental health service providers. 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 by these church groups, the MP rather approves of their activities. Who protects
the ordinary Ghanaian?
And “sakawa”
activities engaged in by a cross section of the youth of the country, tertiary
students included, to enrich themselves overnight. Any campaigns by various
SRCs to eradicate extortion from the country? Currently in our learning
institutions, student ingenuity is manifested in examination malpractices. Some
employers do not even trust the degrees awarded to graduates. In spite of the
negative connotations, I am yet to witness any SRC initiative to reduce or
eradicate examination malpractices. Need I mention politicians who deceive the
electorate with promises they never intend to fulfil? 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. 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!
To Mr. Asante
and all Ghanaians, homosexuality has always existed in the country, and is
practiced by people from all walks of life. Some of these have been trained with
national resources; others are knowledgeable people who have so much to offer
the nation in all productive sectors. Should they be ostracized 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 the position of Prime Minister
David Cameron, President Obama and Mr. Ban Ki-Moon. The grants and aid England,
the United States and the UN give to Ghana include taxes and donations from
homosexuals. At least, Westerners are practical. One can object to a lifestyle
without hating the individuals who indulge in it. Acknowledging the humanity
of homosexuals, respecting their rights does not imply adopting their
lifestyle. Ghanaians must 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 hullaballoo 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, America and the UN would call
Ghana’s bluff. That would compel leadership to governance--actually crack their
brains, strategize, utilize state resources for national development—the reason
for their election.
For once, Ghanaians
should drop the superficiality which has become the hallmark of the nation. If
people object to homosexual lifestyles because of Christian sentiments, they
also know that condemnation belongs to God, not humans. Only the creator has
the moral right to set standards for humans; in His own time, he would deal
with those who disregard His moral standards. Until such time, let each of us
work on our own shortcomings and strive for moral excellence. Live and let live.
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).