No intention to legalise homosexuality – Government

The government of Ghana does not intend to legalise homosexuality, Information Minister Mustapha Hamid has said.

The clarification by Mr Hamid follows fears by the public that President Nana Akufo-Addo is harbouring intentions to see to the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Ghana.

This follows a recent interview with Al Jazeera in which Mr Akufo-Addo said changing Ghana’s laws to legalise homosexuality is not a matter which is "on the agenda" but "bound to happen".

According to him: “This is the socio-cultural issue if you like,” adding: “I don’t believe that in Ghana, so far, a sufficiently strong coalition has emerged which is having that impact on public opinion that will say: ‘Change it [the law], let’s then have a new paradigm in Ghana’”.

But Mr Hamid in an interview with Joy FM on Monday, November 27, explained that the comment by Mr Akufo-Addo is not an endorsement of homosexuality or plans for its legalisation.

“Government’s position on homosexuality is that it is unacceptable now in Ghana and since law is premised on custom, what it also means is that we cannot make it legal,” Mr Hamid stated.