Noted NPP scholar Arthur Kennedy has written to the UK Prime Minister Theresa May challenging her assertion that former British colonies should decriminalize the practice of homos*xuality, which is widely derided in Africa.
May’s comments have sparked a furore among both the Ghanaian public and politicians with everyone rushing to show exactly how anti gay they are.
NPP politician Arthur Kennedy has also given his take on the saga, coming at it from a different angle.
According to him, the UK doesn’t have to worry about homos*xuals in Ghana but if they want to do something to help us, they can fund free SHS for five years or help rid Accra of filth.
He put his concerns in an open letter.
READ…
Madam Prime Minister,
RE: GAY RIGHTS IN GHANA
Like others in your former colonies, we in Ghana heard your apologies for the anti-gay laws you left on our books.
I will address the substance of your remarks with respect to Ghana but let me make two quick points. First, thanks for the example of your apology. It is refreshing because, in Africa, our big men don’t apologize. In Africa, when a big man offends you, you apologize!
Madam Prime Minister, you promised to help Ghana pass laws that would protect gays. That would not be necessary. All the anti-gay laws on our books before the promulgation of the 1992 constitution– including the Criminal Offenses Act of 1960–are trumped by the strong Fundamental rights and anti-discrimination provisions contained in Chapter 5 of the Constitution.
Our President, who is a noted Human Rights Attorney could have told you that but he probably wanted to be chivalrous as African gentlemen are wont to be.
It would seem, Madam, that your apology should have been directed homeward to your citizens. It took the United Kingdom until 2007 to pass a law banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Indeed, Madam, you have work to do to make the United Kingdom a safe place for gay people. As recently as 2016, only 64% of your citizens approved of homosexual partnerships. Respectfully, should charity not begin at home on this issue?
Sponsor our free SHS program for the next 5 years!
Support the construction of a garbage treatment plant that would rid Accra of filth!
Help get the University of Ghana Teaching Hospital up and running!
Best wishes to Jeremy Corbin.
Sincerely,
Arthur K (A Ghanaian citizen — not a spectator)