Go ahead and ban homosexuality in Ghana – President of ECOWAS Court

President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice, Mr Edward Amoako Asante, has endorsed a move by Ghana to criminalize homosexuality in the country.

He said the human rights argument being made in favour of homosexuality should be dismissed because the customs and traditions of the people which frown on such acts supersede that human right claim.

“People claim it is human right but rights and privileges move together and human rights which are contrary to custom and tradition may not be entertained because in every country there are customs and traditions.

“Basically, all these laws thrive on customs and traditions of the people. Therefore if the massive number of the people think that tradition frowns over these things then basically we can tread cautiously. But then Ghana I think should outlaw that LGBT so that it does not permeate the society at all.

“In Nigeria for example, it is a crime so Ghana is not going to lead the way, Ghana is further going to cement and support what others have done,” he told TV3’S Komla Klutse in interview on Tuesday July 27.

The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Mr Sidie Mohammed Tunis, has asked Ghana to be cautious in attempts to criminalize homosexuality in the country.

He told TV3 in an interview on Tuesday July 27 that Ghana must be careful with this bill especially if it is not the interest of the public.

“As ECOWAS generally, we do not interfere in the domestic affairs of member countries however, if we find out there are issues that will bring about human rights issue , that will bring about insecurity, that will bring about undemocratic principles we will come in.

When asked whether Ghana should be cautious with this bill he answered “ I believe so, If it is not in the interest of the people.”

Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram Samuel Nartey George and some of his colleague lawmakers are sponsoring a bill that seeks to criminalize homosexuality in Ghana.

Portions of the bill reads “A person who, by use of media, technological platform, technological account or any other means, produces, procures, markets, broadcasts, disseminates, publishes or distributes a material for purposes of promoting an activity prohibited under the Bill, or a person uses an electronic device, the Internet service, a film, or any other device capable of electronic storage or transmission to produce, procure, market, broadcast, disseminate, publishes or distribute a material for purposes of promoting an activity prohibited under the Bill commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than five years and not more than ten years.”

Sam George is receiving flak from some quarters for sponsoring the anti-LGBT+ agenda.

For instance, Ghanaian musician Sister Derby who is also a known advocate of LGBT+ rights in Ghana “obsessed with people’s sexual orientation” and tagged him as a pervert and backward thinker.”

But he responded saying his is opened to intellectual debate on the anti-LGBT+ Bill he and some of his colleague lawmakers are sponsoring.

Speaking on TV3’s News 360 on Friday July 23, he said emotional outbursts have no place in legislation.

“We are opened to intellectual criticisms or criticisms and suggestions grounded in law. Emotional outburst emotional comments have no place in legislation

“In any body has intellectual suggestions or addition we are willing to debate the issue.”