Homosexuality: Akufo-Addo’s silence is consent – Nketia

The refusal of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to clearly state his stance on the debate to legalise homosexuality in Ghana, is a clear indication of his approval of same-sex marriage, General Secretary of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Aseidu Nketia, has said.

Although government, through the Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, issued a statement that Nana Akufo-Addo has not given approval for same-sex marriage in Ghana and does not intend doing so, Mr Nketia insists the president, by his actions and silence, “approves” same-sex relationships.

Speaking on the Executive Breakfast Show (EBS) on Class91.3FM on Monday, 30 April 2018, the NDC General Secretary said Nana Akufo-Addo does not have to categorically state that he approves same-sex marriage because “you approve something by conduct, you approve something by categorical statement, you approve something by even not communicating about it.”

He continued: “There is a Ghana position which you, as the president, [are] expected to canvass what is contained in our laws? What has been accepted here? There is a Ghana position, nobody should deceive themselves that there is no Ghana position about same-sex marriage, so, if you are the representative of Ghana and they ask you what is your position and you cannot even mention that this is Ghana’s position, then what are you talking about?”

The president, during an interview with Aljazeera on the subject a few months ago, said changing Ghana’s laws to legalise homosexuality is not a matter which is "on the agenda" but "bound to happen".

The debate on homosexuality resurfaced after British Prime Minister, Theresa May, during the just-ended Commonwealth Conference, urged Commonwealth nations including Ghana to overhaul “outdated" anti-gay laws and said the U.K. was prepared to assist anti-gay countries to amend their laws to accept homosexuality.