Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has waded into the debate on the ills of same-sex relationships by descending heavily on the Anglican and Catholic churches worldwide for their apparent support for homosexual practices.
According to the out-spoken Nkrumaist, he is convinced that the two churches support the despicable act due to incidences involving some of their Priests and the fact that the hierarchy of these churches tried to sweep the issue under the carpet.
Speaking during a panel discussion on PeaceFM’s “Kokrokoo” programme, he accused the two leading Orthodox churches of doing little to stem the practice though he claims it is evident that the practice is very prominent among their leaders.
He revealed that a section of the Anglican Church has even come out openly to say there is nothing in the Bible indicating that homosexuality and lesbianism is a sin.
“Some Anglican priests are carrying out religious marriage ceremonies for gays and same sex couples…The same phenomenon is happening in the Catholic Church, gay marriages are being blessed in the United States by Catholic priests,” he stated to buttress his point.
Once regarded as a taboo subject, the practice of homosexuality is gradually gaining grounds in both the Junior and Senior High Schools, Polytechnics and among some workers, despite concerns that it has contributed to the growing rate of HIV/AIDS in the country.
Whiles Ghanaians can be said to be liberal, some are also very steep in their ideals and beliefs as evidenced by the strong stance taken against both Lesbians and Homosexuals by the larger society.
Quite recently, about eight thousand homosexuals were registered by non-governmental organization (NGOs) at a day’s workshop in the Western and some parts of the Central regions after they (homosexuals) underwent voluntary counseling and testing with majority of them infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV/AIDS.
It also came out that more than 2,900 lesbians and gays had been registered in the two regions in 2008, the figure trippling as of 2010, with most of them testing not only positive for STDs but also for HIV/AIDS after they had undergone voluntary counselling and testing. The rise in STDs, including HIV, in the two regions, according to the NGOs, was due to the fact that almost all those registered were bi-sexual, with some having wives and girlfriends.
That, according to the NGOs, resulted in the rapid spread of STDs, including HIV/AIDS.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) has begun investigations into the growing rate of homosexuality in the Western and Central regions.