Feature: Is condemnation the solution to homosexuality?

Recent media publications and reportage have dwelt on the ever increasing HIV/AIDS infection among our youth and attributed it to Homosexuality.

Though this is not the first time we are hearing about Homosexuality reportage in Ghana, this has raised concerns among well meaning Ghanaians, Religious bodies and Government at large. Some Religious bodies have linked Homosexuality to evil spirits and also some say it is a curse from God to our nation Ghana.

I believe as Ghanaians we have done ourselves a great disservice by allowing Homosexuality to gradually gain ground here in Ghana. The sooner we take action by finding the root cause of this situation and making conscious efforts to control or even eliminate it, the better for all of us.

There has been too much condemnation of this practice over the years yet it seems to be going on unabated. I shudder when I hear that Homosexuals in Ghana are fighting for their right to their sexuality.

As children grow up, they reach a stage called ‘Adolescent’ and this is where they become aware of their sexuality since this is a time when their sexual reproductive organs begin to develop. At this stage, parents need to pay more close attention to their children.

Traits of Homosexuality can be detected as early as Adolescent stage. When it is detected, the best way to tackle it is by Counseling and not Condemnation. The child needs to understand what Homosexuality is all about and then be made aware of the consequences of engaging in such practices. When Homosexuality trait is detected early in individual’s teenage life, the chances of correcting it through counseling is higher than when it is detected in adult life.

Our boarding schools also have a role to play in this regard. Counseling units should be made flexible in our schools such that students can go for counseling regarding their sexuality. The situation where students caught in Homosexual practices are sacked from schools is not the best way to handle such situations. Such students rather need more help and attention from the Counseling unit in schools.

I believe the issue of Homosexuality can be nipped in the bud when an environment is created where individuals can feel at ease to go for counseling to discuss their sexuality without fear of being discriminated against or condemned. A campaign to help Homosexuals should be done throughout the country rather than a campaign to condemn Homosexuality. Homosexuals need help and not condemnation.

Written by:
Nabil Ahmed Rufai
KNUST, Kumasi