#GhVetting: Ghana should consider legislation against LGBT advocacy – Oppong Nkrumah
Information Minister-designate Kojo Oppong Nkrumah is proposing legislation against the advocacy of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) activities.
According to him, given the current advocacy around the legalization of homosexuality in Ghana, the country needs to consider passing a law that tackles its promotion because the practice in itself is culturally unacceptable and goes contrary to Section 104 of the Criminal Code, 1960.
Oppong Nkrumah who is also MP for Ofoase Ayirebi Constituency was responding to questions when he took his turn before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for vetting on Thursday 18 February 2021.
Alien to our customary law
“Customary law frowns on LGBT activities,” the former broadcaster pointed out.
He added: “People say despite the criminal code on the general position of customary law, it is just mere expression, they are just advocating for it, but if you ask me about law and background, I will say that is when somebody like me will argue that then we should be able to contemplate legislation in the interest of public morality, which will not be against the constitution, but we will now say that you cannot advocate for and promote LGBT activities in this country.”
His comments follow the participation of the European Union (EU) in the opening of new office space for LGBTQI reiterating its support for similar organizations in the country.
This the minister-designate for information stressed that the practice is alien to Ghana’s customs and tradition and it is the reason why laws must be passed to deal with persons who advocate and promote its practice in the country.
The media needs more support
Oppong Nkrumah also called for increased support for the media in the country.
According to him, the Ghanaian media plays a critical role in our democratic dispensation and hence must be assisted to go about their activities in a free and independent manner.
He noted that the media plays a critical role in information dissemination in the country and as a result, they need the needed support so as to make them function appropriately.
“As I have mentioned, while we uphold the freedom and independence of the media, we should also work to support the media so that they are able to live up to their responsibility. There are some of the infractions in the media space that are not out of malice but because of the very liberalized market in which we are, there are people operating who even have not had the benefit of any training or support and that is why I argued that we should support them so that they can do that in which they desire to do without falling into the tentacles of irresponsibility,” Oppong Nkrumah said.
