General News of Tuesday, 28 November 2017

Source: mynewsgh.com

Akufo-Addo’s response on homosexuality classic - Awuni

Former Presidential spokesperson, Andrew Awun Former Presidential spokesperson, Andrew Awun

Former Presidential spokesperson, Andrew Awuni has waded into the homosexuality controversy following comments made by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo while being interviewed on Aljazeera.

In the opinion of Mr Awuni, the President’s response was classic in line with how every consummate politician and a Diplomat would have done.

“Hello folks. The latest controversy in Ghana is the President’s interview with Al- Jezerra and his statement on homosexuality. As usual the country is divided on this one too. ( NDC/NPP). I have decided to join in the controversy and I am bound to disappoint a section of my friends. If you are disappointed with what i say please accept that it is my opinion. Maybe on another occasion you will be okay with my position.

Now my position is that Nana Addo’s response is a classic reponse of a consumate Politician and a Diplomat. A master move that has left the Western Powers ‘astonished’ and ‘helpless’. What do you say to a response like that? NOTHING! The President’s response is as true today as it will be in a hundred years.

But this response is above the heads of many of us at home. We are used to the raw ‘YENPE’ response. No wonder it has become a subject of controversy. It reminds me of President Abrefa Busia’s response on Aparthied or even President Kufuor’s stance on Tawian and China in 70’s. Hahahahaha. Please dont panic. Homosexuality is not on the agenda”, he stated in a facebook post.

President Akufo-Addo while being interviewed by Jane Dutton said , “This is the socio-cultural issue if you like…I don’t believe that in Ghana, so far, a sufficiently strong coalition has emerged which is having that impact on public opinion that will say: ‘Change it [the law], let’s then have a new paradigm in Ghana.”

He further noted that he grew up in England, which, in the past, detest homosexuality but later succumbed to pressure from LGBT lobbyists to amend their laws to accommodate same-sex relationship.

“I grew up in England; I went to school as a young boy in England and I grew up at a time in England when homosexuality was banned there, it was illegal and I lived in the period when British politicians thought it was anathema to think about changing the law and suddenly the activities of individuals, of groups, a certain awareness, a certain development grew and grew and grew stronger and it forced a change in law. I believe those are the same processes that will bring about changes in our situation.”

The president, nonetheless said: “At the moment, I don’t feel and I don’t see that in Ghana, there is that strong current of opinion that will say: ‘This is something that we need even deal with’. It’s not, so far, a matter which is on the agenda.”