A member of the communications team of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), Benjamin Akyena Brantuo says allegations that the UK may cut down aid to Ghana if the country fails to recognise gay rights is a vindication of President J.E.A. Mills’ position on homosexuality. “This publication from the UK newspaper is the clearest event that contrary to NPP media propaganda that the President supports the act; this is the evidence of the threat from UK,” he added. Akyena Brantuo was commenting on a report in a UK newspaper that the British government had threatened to cut down aid to Ghana should it continue the hostilities against gays and lesbians in their respective countries. The paper also quoted the UK International Development Secretary, Andrew Mitchell to have said his country had recently cut funding to Malawi by £19 million because of anti-gay laws and warned that Ghana could face a similar sanction if it does not stop prosecuting gays. However, the British High Commission in Ghana in a rejoinder has denied the report stating that it is factually inaccurate. But the government in a quick response stressed it won’t succumb to any pressure by the UK government which is inimical to the country’s constitution and culture. The Young Patriots, a youth advocacy group of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) a couple of months ago asked President Mills to declare his government’s position on homosexuality, at the time a very topical national issue. The group argued that the then silence of the Presidency on the gay issue suggested President Mills endorsed the act. A leading member of the group, John Kumah, was arrested for comments deemed demeaning of the president during a radio discussion. He was later released upon instructions from the president who was reported to have said he had no interest in pursuing the case. But speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Wednesday, Akyena Brantuo said President Mills has made life unbearable for gays living in the country hence the threat by the UK government. He noted that President Mills as a matter of principle would never condone any act which is contrary to the cultures, norms, customers and traditions in the country. Akyena Brantuo noted that even though the President is against homosexuality, it is not for him to decide the sexuality of any individual in the country. The NDC youth activist described as cheap politics, attempts by the NPP to align President Mills with the gay community. Akyena Brantuo advised the NPP to focus on more important issues in their desperate attempt to unseat the NDC in 2012.