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Government Officials in Ghana Say No to Planned LGBTQ Meeting After Protests

Days after Religious leaders in Ghana raised concerns over a Pan Africa International Lesbian, Gay, Trans and Intersex Association meeting that was planned to be held in the West African country in July this year, a section of government leaders in the country have said that the meeting will not happen.

“It is a no, the government won’t allow it to happen in Ghana,” the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection in the country, Cynthia Mamle Morrison was quoted saying by local media.

“I am a Christian, likewise the President. The president has said no to the gay conference. Gay conference has nothing to do with the Ministry, it has nothing to do with the government,” stated the Ghanaian Minister.

Organized under the theme, “Sankofa: looking back to our roots - reclaiming our rights,” the 5th edition of the Pan African conference that had been scheduled to take place from July 27 to 31 in Ghana’s capital, Accra was not well received in the country, with citizens and religious leaders speaking against it.

“We have heard about the “sankofa” of the lesbians and gays who are planning to have their meeting here in our country, Ghana. Why Ghana!” Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie of Accra lamented about the conference during the First anniversary of his Installation Sunday, March 1.

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“If it is true, we need to speak against it because our values do not allow us to do that. For us Christians and Muslims, we have values which we endeavour to live by no matter the circumstances of life,” Archbishop Kwofie said while giving the homily for the celebration.

Separately, in an interview with the local media, MyNewsGh.com, the Chief Imam of the Ashanti region Sheikh Muumin Abdul Haroun urged Ghanaians regardless of their religion to unite and stop the conference from taking place.

“Wallahi tallahi we will not agree!” the Sheikh vowed adding, “We Muslims, Christians and the Traditional religion will all rise up; we will not allow them to even step foot here and not even the government can stand in our way; the country does not belong to them; it belongs to us so we decide who does what here.”

The Executive Director of the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values in Ghana, Moses Foh-Amoaning also lamented about the conference and called on the government to bar activities of homosexuals in the country.

“It is illegal in Ghana. How can you have such a conference here in Ghana? It will not happen, trust me,” the anti-LGBTQ activist said.

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Bishops in the West African country have been vocal on matters regarding sexuality and sexual education in the country. Last year, the Prelates disputed the introduction of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) into the country saying it is a way to introduce homosexuality to children.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.