Ghana will not legalize homosexuality, despite sanction threats by America

Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration designate Madam Shirley Ayokor Bothwey has reiterated country’s long stance ban on same sex marriage and LGBT activities, adding that Ghana’s laws clearly criminalise the practice.

This was when she was confronted with question about the issue during her ministerial vetting on how she is going to handle the sensitive yet diplomatic matter, in regards to the American president Joe Biden’s threat to sanction all countries yet to make laws that accommodate homosexuality.

American Authorities on the February 4,  issued a memorandum aimed at expanding protection of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people worldwide, which include potential use of financial sanctions to said countries.

According to President Biden,  “all human beings should be treated with respect and dignity and should be able to live without fear no matter who they are or who they love.”

But Madam Shirley on her side noted that  “Ghana is a sovereign country but as part of our foreign policy we engage countries all over the world; America is one of our strongest friends. But in this country we have laws. And our laws work and must work. 

“So in spite of what somebody will say and in this case President Biden, the laws of Ghana criminalizes unlawful carnal knowledge and therefore the laws of Ghana definitely are supreme and that is what we all adhere to”.