No political party will ‘survive’ after legalizing homosexuality – Majority leader

Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu has stated unequivocally that no established political party in Ghana will attempt legalizing homosexuality in Ghana.

In a widely publicized interview with Aljazeera, President Akufo-Addo indicated that homosexuality isn’t a pressing issue in the country.

“I grew up in England; I went to school as a young boy in England and I grew up at a time in England when homosexuality was banned there, it was illegal and I lived in the period when British politicians thought it was anathema to think about changing the law and suddenly the activities of individuals, of groups, a certain awareness, a certain development grew and grew and grew stronger and it forced a change in law. I believe those are the same processes that will bring about changes in our situation.”

The president, however, pointed out that: “At the moment, I don’t feel and I don’t see that in Ghana, there is that strong current of opinion that will say: ‘This is something that we need even deal with’. It’s not, so far, a matter which is on the agenda.”

Reacting to this issue, the MP for Suame, disclosed that, since it wasn’t part of NPP’s 2016 electioneering campaign to legalize homosexuality in the country, he strongly believes President Nana Addo has no intention to implement it.

Nonetheless, he added that, as a highly religious country, it will be gloomy to accept homosexuality.

“Our culture doesn’t allow that. It doesn’t mean that Ghanaians will accept that. Outside it becomes part of their electioneering campaign. I don’t think about political party will add that up otherwise they will be doomed. The Christians in the country won’t allow. This is a Christian, Muslim country and it can’t happen…” he said on Accra based Okay FM.

“Pentecostalism is here. Any political party which will attempt to legalise homosexuality will not survive. I don’t think any political party be it NDC or NPP will go for it. Let’s talk about other subjects that will develop our country…,” he added.

Asked if maintaining the stand against homosexuality in the country will affect Ghana’s relationship with countries that tend to grant aid, the majority leader indicated that the country must put resources to ‘better’ use than to beg.

“Going forward as a nation, if we build our economy well we won’t go for an aid. If the one district one factory, one village one dam policy survives we will go far. If we are able to utilize our oil well, we will produce about 400 to 500,000 barrels a day. If we do that we would not need any aid if we concentrate on our agriculture too…”

“We should process our raw materials. We have to manage our resources well so that if anyone doesn’t want to give us any aid we will not struggle…” he said.