Following a recent wave of outbursts towards the upcoming Pan Africa ILGA (PAI) conference, the government of Ghana has said the country cannot host the much anticipated conference due in July. PAI 2020 which has been themed “Sankofa: Looking back to our roots – Reclaiming our right” is in its 5th year running.
In an interview with CTV on Tuesday 10th March 2020, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection- Cynthia Mamle Morrison revealed that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has rejected plans by the LGBT community to have their conference in Ghana. Reacting to the development, Morrison said, “It is a no, government won’t allow it to happen in Ghana... I am a Christian and so is the President. The President has said no to the gay conference."
Since the PAI Association announced the event in February, there has been a lot of backlash from several religious and political officials who expressed strong opposition towards PAI's plans.
Previously in a broadcast discussion on Power FM Accra, Dr. Hanna Louisa Bisiw, a veterinary doctor and national women’s organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ghana suggested that gay people should be killed.
Other notable figures that have reacted aggressively against PAI's 5th regional Ccnference being held in Accra include the Ashanti regional chief- Imam Sheihk Muumin Abdul Haroun who said that he and other religious leaders in the country will stop the ‘demonic’ conference. Also Foh-Amoaning of the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values is also asking the government to stop the conference.
The Pan Africa ILGA has not responded yet to the comments but we shall continue to bring you any further updates as they develop.
This is not the first time that religion and cultural beliefs have been used to abuse the rights of LGBT persons; most countries in Africa still face opposition from cultural and religious leaders- an aspect the LGBT community in Africa continues to fight in their daily advocacy.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Additional sourcing from therustintimes.com and peacefmonline.com
