There are far more gays in Ghana than Ghanaians know – US Ambassador

Despite the stark opposition on homosexuality in Ghana, United States’ Ambassador Robert P. Jackson has stated that the LGBT group should not be chastised for their sexuality.

Mr Robert Jackson, in a discussion on ’21 minutes with KKB’, remarked, “I believe that everyone should enjoy the same human rights and personally I believe that people are either born heterosexual or homosexual. It’s not a lifestyle choice.”

The issue of homosexuality and its legalization in the country has been a huge subject of debate.

Without making any definite pronouncement on the issue during an interview with Qatar-based Al Jazeera., President Akufo-Addo had stated that any possible change will only come after a strong concerted push for LGBT rights from some sections of the public.

“For these socio-cultural issues, I don’t believe that in Ghana so far, a sufficiently strong coalition has emerged which is having that much impact on public opinion that will say; change it,” he stated.

Citizens, including religious leaders came at the tail of the president for making what they described as ‘unpleasant’ utterances on the subject.

According to the Diplomat however, people are naturally born gay while adding statistically, about 10% of people are born gay. To him Ghanaians are not privy to the large number of members of the LGBT fraternity. He explained that due to stereotypes and victimization, people are unable to declare their status as being gay.

“I think there are far more gays in Ghana than Ghanaians realized but because of societal attitudes they keep their sexuality very private. “

While there has been an increase in the acceptance of homosexuality in most western countries, particularly the US, who are now championing LGBT rights as human rights, Ghana is one of the worst places in the continent to live for individuals practicing the act mainly because the various religions abhor it.

Although he denied that the United States is not asking for a change of religious beliefs or legalization of homosexuality, he noted, “We are only asking that all people be treated the same – that they have the same human rights and the right to privacy.”