Ghanaians who oppose gay rights are 'myopic' - US Ambassador

United States Ambassador to Ghana, Robert P. Jackson has said he thinks Ghanaians are “myopic” on the subject of homosexuality.

He said Ghanaians’ attitude towards the subject reflects a ’lack of understanding of the sciences”.

In an interview with Ghanaweb’s Kyenkyenhene Boateng, the US Ambassador in a categorical reply to a question asked by the journalist if he holds the view that it is myopic to oppose the basic human rights of gays just because of their sexuality, the US Ambassador to Ghana replied: “I do think it’s myopic. I think it reflects a lack of understanding of the science.”

The top US government representative said he think when Ghanaians against gay rights are given the opportunity to study about the subject, they stood a chance of changing their mind.

“I think that many of those Ghanaians if they study the issue they might come to a different conclusion.” The top diplomat told Ghanaweb’s KKB.

In the same interview, monitored by mynewsgh.com, he said he believes gays are more pervasive in Ghana than Ghanaians would want to believe and called for the protection of their human rights.

“Statistics indicate that probably 10% of people are born gay. I think there are far more gays in Ghana than Ghanaians realize but because of societal attitudes, they keep their sexuality very private,” the U.S envoy said. “We are asking that all people be treated the same; that they have the same human rights and the same rights to privacy,” added.

“I believe that everyone should enjoy the same human rights and personally I believe that people are either born heterosexual or homosexual. It is not a lifestyle choice,” Mr Jackson said.