Ghanaian actress-cum-activist, Lydia Forson, has defended President Nana Akufo-Addo’s recent comment to the effect that homosexuality is bound to happen in Ghana, describing same as intellectual response.
The President in an interview on Al Jazeera said though the issue of homosexuality is not something on his government’s agenda but said “I think it is something that is bound to happen like elsewhere in the world.”
His comment has been deemed as supporting homosexuality and has since been widely condemned by some Ghanaians including religious groups some of who have been demanding the president to come clear on the issue.
However, the Africa Movie Academy award-winning actress President Akufo-Addo’s response to the issue of homosexuality was apt because he didn’t in “anyway condone the act, in fact he may be equally against it”.
Arguing in support of Nana Akufo-Addo’s stance on the matter in a blog, Lydia Forson said the president “was not voted into power to enforce his own personal beliefs on all of us” but to represent the citizenry irrespective of their beliefs and practices.
“Which is why he gave an intellectual response, devoid of emotions to that question. Because years in law school would have taught him about human rights and the realities of any minority group,” she justified.
She added: “Legalization of anything doesn’t suggest that everyone agrees with it, it’s to protect the few who do; which is why there are still people in America against homosexuality and are free to be, so long as they don’t harm those who’re for it.”
By 3news.com|Ghana
Read below Lydia Forson’s take on the president’s statement
The President on Homosexuality; he said what he said.
See I’m going to keep this very simple because I know no matter how well I put this people are still going to find a reason to be offended.
There’s public outrage over an interview President Akufo-Addo granted in which he said that the conversation on the legalization of homosexuality was bound to happen.
Now I understand your anger if this is a practice you’re against, especially if it’s one your religion forbids.
But the president response doesn’t in ANYWAY condone the act, in fact he may be equally against it.
But he wasn’t voted into power to enforce his own personal beliefs on all of us, he was voted to represent ALL the citizens of the country irrespective of their beliefs and practices.
Which is why he gave an intellectual response, devoid of emotions to that question.
Because years in LAW school would have taught him about human rights and the realities of any minority group.
Legalization of anything doesn’t suggest that everyone agrees with it, it’s to protect the few who do; which is why there are still people in America against homosexuality and are free to be, so long as they don’t harm those who’re for it.
The law exist to protect ALL its citizens and not impose ones personal beliefs and views on another.
So the president’s response is what anyone who understands history, law and the realities of the world we live in today, would say.
History should teach us all that every minority, or group of people that feel oppressed, restricted etc will some day find their voice,strength and the balls to demand for equal treatment.
That’s just the way it is!
Twins.
Albinos.
Jews.
Women.
Black people.
Interracial couples.
At some point in our history these groups of people have been completely disregarded and some even KILLED for not being “normal”.
They’ve risen up and fought to be included.
The president didn’t condone homosexuality, he simply stated the FACT that at some point we’ll be forced to have this conversation, whether we want to or not; and it may not even be any time soon or even in our life time.
But we have to reach the mental capacity needed to have these debates.
Which is why I don’t think it’s fair to constantly pressurize African leaders to taking a stand on this.
Where we are now as a country, all these developed countries were several decades ago, so we shouldn’t be forced to run when we’re just learning how to WALK.
With that being said, your outrage isn’t going to change the fact that your friend,doctor,pastor (yep them too) lawyer etc is GAY.
Pretending they don’t exist doesn’t change the FACT that they do.