A youth group known as Concerned Moslem Youth of Ghana (CMYG) has asked all Imams to preach against homosexuality in their mosques in Ghana since the LGBTQI community is taking over the inner cities (zongos) inhabitant by Muslims.

The group’s call follows a recent comment by President Nana Akufo-Addo during an interview with Qatar-based Al Jazeera that although legalising homosexuality was not on Ghanaians’ agenda, it was bound to happen at some point in time.

A statement signed by Sheikh Abdul Ganiyu Ahmed, Convener of the group, expressed “utter shock” at the president’s statement, saying: “In that interview, it showed clearly that the President subtly endorsed the abominable and disgusting acts of gays and lesbians and went ahead to encourage those in Ghana to form a sufficient pressure group in order to agitate for its legalisation in the country.”

It added: “We the Concerned Moslem Youth of Ghana have come to the firm conclusion that the statement made by President Nana Akufo-Addo has not only emboldened those in the abominable act of homosexuality, but also encouraged and motivated others to engage in it.

The group, therefore, appealed to the Chief Imam to direct all mosques to preach against homosexuality. “Your eminence the Chief Imam, we wish to state with emphasis that homosexuality is gradually gaining grounds in our Ghanaian society and our zongos are not an exception and it is gradually destroying the dignity of our prestigious religion of Islam.

“We are, therefore, calling on your good office to openly, as a matter of principle, condemn without reservation, the gay endorsing statement made by President Nana Akufo-Addo and also call on him to retract the statement made to the foreign press with immediate effect.

“We also take the opportunity to appeal to your office to direct for special attention to be paid to preaching against the practice of homosexuality in all mosques throughout Ghana. We hope our appeal will be given the necessary consideration.”