Rejoinder: Headmaster Ban Ki-Moon lectures African leaders

The role of the student as intrinsic to
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.

http://earthwormfarminginghana.blogspot.com 

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).