HOMOSEXUALS BARE TEETH (MIRROR, PAGE 34, JUNE 19, 2010)

From Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu, Takoradi

The Western Regional Capital has lately been rocked by many sexual scandals and unacceptable social vices including homosexuality, lesbianism as well as sexual molestation of underage children.
These activities have incurred the wrath of members of the Takoradi metropolis. Interestingly, a lawyer who is also gay has told The Mirror that there is no law in the country prohibiting association by the same sex. He said the Constitution of Ghana guaranteed freedom of association and expression, including choice of sexual partners and the free expression of sexual feelings.
According to the former Western Regional President of the Ghana Bar Association, Lawyer Augustine Arvoh Mensah, the proclamation of one’s position as a lesbian or gay does not constitute a crime.In the same way, he said organising meetings to discuss issues relating to ones chosen sexual orientation or having a get-together did not constitute any wrong doing.
“We could however, apply the Criminal Code Act 104 of the 1992 Constitution, if the people are caught in the act as it happened recently in one African country,” he said. However, gays and lesbians in the Western Region have said the demonstration by some religious groups in the region was an infringement on their rights as citizens of Ghana who were free to express themselves.
The fears of the religious bodies were that, the strong presence of gays and lesbians in the region is a threat to morality and uprightness,especially as they are seen openly in bars and holding meetings that carry on till day break. Interestingly, many of the people who participate in gay events and meetings in the twin-city, travel from Accra, Tema, Kumasi, as well as other neighbouring West African countries.
In spite of agitations by religious bodies, the gay and lesbian community seem not to be deterred, contending that they are backed by the law.In another development, there is the increasing incidences of male foreigners seen at various bars and hotels with young girls whose ages range from 14 to 15.
The management of some of the hotels who spoke to The Mirror under anonymity said even though they want these foreigners and gays and lesbians as clients, they however, think their conduct is reprehensible.The owner of a leading joint in Takoradi said she had on several occasions refused permission for her premises to be used as a meeting grounds for gays and lesbians.
"Some of my colleagues have allowed their premises to be used by these people because they are able to pay any huge amounts quoted to them," she said According to some hotel operators, what was also worrying was that there were some foreigners who always visited their hotels in the company of children some of whom could be found drinking liquor.
“Sometimes I have had to drive some of the children away by threatening them with the police. I am also a parent and I know how damaging it is for juveniles to be drinking alcohol,” one of the operators said. Quite recently at a beach resort in Takoradi, the behaviour of a group of expatriates incurred the anger of the attendants who drove them out of their premises.
“When they get to the bar, they move to less illuminated parts where they sit with the innocent children, while they fed them with alcoholic beverages,” said one attendant.“Our children are at risk and we need to get unscrupulus people who take advantage of them out of the system. Now, all of a sudden, gays and lesbians have found a home in the Western Region,” he lamented.