The ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has described as ‘great’ the answer offered by the President to the international community on legalization of same sex marriage.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo told Jane Dutton on Talk to Al Jazeera, legalisation of homosexuality is not on his government’s agenda.
But the status of gays in the country could change if there is a groundswell of pressure for that to be done, he said.
“At the moment, I don’t feel, I don’t see that in Ghana there is that strong current of opinion that is saying this is something we need to deal with. It is not so far a matter that is on the agenda,” he said.
Pressure groups, religious organizations and political opponents have taken issues with the president over his comments.
The government has since come out to clarify that it has no intention to legalise same-sex relationship.
Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid said on Monday that homosexuality continues to be unacceptable because there is no “cultural orientation” that supports it in Ghana.
Commenting on this on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen on Tuesday, opposition MP, Okudzeto Ablakwa said the President offered the right answer at the time.
He explained that the answer that was offered by the President is the right one within the context of the international relations.
“Within international relations and diplomacy, it was clear the President gave a great answer…,” he said.
The North Tongu MP said the President was torn between offering an answer that would please the international community and displease his conservative nation he leads back home or doing the vice versa.
And the President, he said, chose to please the international community and suffer the repercussions back home.
“The President was aware of the implications of whatever answer he was about offering and hence I believe he will be pleased with the consequences he is receiving back home…,” he said.
According to Okudzeto Ablakwa, he is not the only person who subscribes to the view offered by the President, as international relations experts have also applauded the President for making that comment.
“Nana Addo did not want to incur the wrath of gay community…the President was trying to be in the middle…but the consequence is that back home, the President has not impressed the conservative Ghanaian community,” he said.
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2 COMMENTS

  1. For once, I totally agree with Hon. Okudjeto Ablakwa on his understanding of President Akufo Addo’s very smart answer to Jane Dutton of Aljazeera. I tell you, that had President Akufo Addo done what people are saying he should have done – i.e ‘tell her off’ with a categorical “NO”, she would have followed with a barrage of questions deliberately selected to paint him as “undemocratic” and all. And the immediate backlash that would have followed would be worse than what is happening now, back hone.
    Thank God , Ghana is blessed with such an ASTUTE INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMAT of a President as Nana Akufo Addo, who KNOWS WHAT TO SAY AT THE RIGHT TIME & PLACE.
    To our respected Clergymen who are concerned, and rightly so, it would help for them to consider the fact that even our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, Himself, refrained from giving direct answers to ‘TRICKY QUESTIONS’ when He perceived mischief behind certain questions. Thank you.

  2. “DISCRETION”, they say, is the “BETTER PART OF VALOUR”. Meaning that applying Wisdom {Discretion} is ultimately BETTER than being VALIANT or brave, no matter how strong one may be. That is practical wisdom.
    That truth or fact of life is what our SMART President Nana Akufo Addo displayed when Jane Dutton of the ALJAZEERA sought to pin him to the wall by that tricky question.
    Thank God H.E Nana Akufo Addo ‘jumped” out of the snare with an answer that shut the lady up.
    Kudos to our President.
    We are proud of you,

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