Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Sarah Adwoa Sarfo has expressed disapproval of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI), stressing that it should not be legalised in Ghana.
She explained that not only does the Ghanaian culture frown upon it, the laws of the country make it criminal.
“The issue of LGBTQI is an issue that when mentioned creates some controversy but what I want to say is that our laws are clear on such practices. It makes it criminal.
“On the issue of its criminality, it is non-negotiable on the issue of cultural acceptance and norms too. These practices are also frowned upon,” she maintained.
The minister-designate expressed her view when she appeared before the Appointment Committee of Parliament on Wednesday for vetting.
Ms Adwoa Safo pointed out that Section 104 of Ghana’s Criminal Code prohibits one from having unnatural carnal knowledge with another person hence, would not entertain the legalisation of LGBTQI.
She noted that the practice is an affront to the laws, traditions and customs of the country, “and so for me, these are two distinct clarities on the matter and that is what I stand for.”
Last week, the LGBTQI group in Ghana organised a fundraiser which was attended by several diplomats including the Australian High Commissioner who pledged to support the group.
This action triggered some Ghanaians calling on security agencies to shut down the LGBTQI movement in Ghana.
In the same vein, the Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration also reacted to US President Joseph Biden’s decision to sanction countries yet to make laws that accommodate homosexuals.
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey insisted that Ghana is a sovereign country and has its own laws that its citizenry must abide by regardless of the relationship the country has with other countries.
