Spokesperson for the National Chief Imam has called on the government to establish its position on the activities of LGBTQ+ in the country.
According to Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, this will help streamline processes leading to inform how various facets of the country will interact with these groups going forward.
“We still expect the government to come out with a clear position on this,” he said on JoyNews.
This comes in the wake of public discourse over the opening of an Accra office by the LGBTQ+ community in Ghana.
The January 31 event which saw in attendance representatives from the Australian and Danish Embassies and other EU delegation, has been heavily criticised by a cross-section of Ghanaians including anti-gay rights advocate, National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values who have among other things cited a contradiction to the country’s laws regarding unnatural carnal knowledge as its basis.
Religious factions such as the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), have further advanced arguments for the government to summon foreign diplomats supporting advocacy for LGBTQI rights in Ghana.
Speaking on PM Express Monday, Sheikh Aremeyaw believes the communication of an unambiguous stance regarding the development is crucial to his commitment, together with other anti-gay rights activists to reject the act.
“I will want to see government come to state a clear position on that but the offices, in my view and speaking for all Muslims, must be closed immediately,” he said.
The Islamic scholar further called for a review of the laws “to cover all other elements of the sexual orientations that we frown upon.”
“… If there’s the need to review our law to make it as comprehensive to cover all other elements of the same sex [it must be done]”
According to him, the act is an affront to the country’s norms and traditions.
“We are distinct from citizens of other countries through our cultural identity. Without our culture, we cease to exist so it is something that binds us together…,” he added.