The Northern Regional House of Chiefs has urged the government to institute measures to halt the activities of lesbians and homosexuals in the country. The president of the House, Yagbonwura Tutumba Bore Essa Japka II, said gay practices and lesbianism should not be tolerated in a country rooted in strong respect for cultural and religious beliefs. “The issue of homosexuality is bad, it is alien to our culture and it must therefore be abhorred courageously,” the chiefs urged the government. The new president of the house said this at his swearing-in ceremony in Tamale on Thursday. The Yagbonwura also entreated all, especially the youth to be circumspect in copying other foreign cultures, stressing that some of these practices were inimical to “our own rich, inherited norms and values.” He also admonished social commentators, especially on radio to be cautious in their pronouncements in order not to foment trouble or even encourage the younger generation to pick up such foul behaviours and disrespect to authority. The Yagbonwura also appealed to law makers to find a way of dealing with the issue of homosexuality, saying “I personally believe that this is an issue we can put to test by the powers granted us in the constitution by voting for or against”. The Regional House of Chiefs’ president also admonished parents to be responsible towards their children by warding them off such dangers as homosexuality. He also expressed regret over the menace of armed robbery, rape, ritual murders among other crimes in the communities that must not be countenanced. According to him, security was a shared responsibility for which he entreated traditional authorities to partner the law enforcement agencies to nip in the bud the sophistication crime had assumed. The Yagbonwura added that this way, the communities and the nation at large will be safe and peaceful to attract the needed investments that will create jobs for the youth. Source: The Ghanaian Times/Ghana