Gyampo: Prominent Ghanaians kicking against anti-gay bill for selfish gain
The political science lecturer says those against the anti-gay bill, especially lawyers, are only seeking to advertise their services
- “I don’t believe that if even people are caught doing that, you should lynch them ... That is how come I think once there is a blueprint or legislation that prescribes how they have to be treated, then it is good”
Ransford Gyampo, an associate professor in the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, has said he doubts that the decision by some prominent Ghanaians to kick against the anti-gay bill is genuine.
He said those against the bill are not seeking the interest of LGBTQI people but are doing so only for selfish interest.
A group of prominent Ghanaians led by the renowned legal practitioner Akoto Ampaw has said that the anti-LGBTQI Bill “violates all the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the 1992 constitution”.
It’s inhumane
“The bill violates virtually all the fundamental human rights of people. It stigmatises the LGBTQ+ community as inhuman,” said the leader of the Concerned Ghanaian Citizens group.
“This is not the republic that Ghanaians fought for,” Ampaw said, when he appeared before a parliamentary committee hearing on Thursday.
However, speaking on The Asaase Breakfast Show on Friday (12 November), Gyampo said: “… I doubt the motive behind those who are opposed to the legislation, it is not because they want to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people.
“It is because they want to advertise their profession. I am talking about those professionals, especially lawyers.”
He added: “I don’t believe that if even people are caught doing that, you should lynch them and all that. That is how come I think once there is a blueprint or legislation that prescribes how they have to be treated, then it is good.”
Who is in the group?
The other members of the Concerned Ghanaian Citizens group include Professor Emerita Takyiwaaa Manuh, the communications specialist Professor Kwame Karikari, Professor Kofi Gyimah-Boadi, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo of the Department of Communication Studies and former dean of the School of Information and Communication Studies at the University of Ghana, Dr Rose Mensah-Kutin, Dr Yao Graham, Professor Dzodzi Tsikata of the Institute of African Studies and Professor H Kwasi Prempeh of the Center for Democratic Development (CDD).
The others are the former secretary general of the Trades Union Congress Kwasi Adu Amankwah, Dr Kojo Asante, Kingsley Ofei-Nkansah, Akunu Dake, Tetteh Hormeku-Ajie, Professor Raymond Atuguba, the dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Ghana, Dr Charles Wereko-Brobbey, Dr Joseph Asunka and Nana Ama Agyemang Asante.
Fred Dzakpata
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