It was in my village- a small farming community in the hinterlands of Ghana. A small crowd of old men and young men numbering about eleven had gathered at the village square as usual, sipping palmwine after a hard day’s work.
Notable in the small crowd was a septuagenarian (70+ old man); his double-lens hanging down his nose and his frail hands holding a small radio set very close to his left ear.
The old man who was apparently listening to his favorite news channel-the B. B. C., seemed to be moderating a passionate discussion on the issue of gay rights in Ghana.
“Who is David Cameron to decide what a sovereign country like Ghana does or does not do? This is what our first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah called Neo-colonialism.” he chuckled as he gulped down a mouthful of the fresh, foamy palmwine. “How can a man marry a man? He can keep his financial aid. After all, we have hit oil now.” the old man remarked contemptuously, taking his small radio set he calls ‘wireless’, off his ears.
“That is why am happy the President Prof. J. E. Attah-Mills gave the British Premier a befitting answer yesterday.” Efo Korku said, drowning his last words in the calabashful of palmwine he had put to his mouth.
“Oh but the president has not said anything concrete and positive. All he said was that he was not going to pass any laws that would grant gay rights nor would he outlaw the practice. In other words, his attitude to gay practice and rights is one of indifference and passivity.” The old man observed, his hooded eyes roving from one face to another.
“I see the point. If gay practice and rights offend our socio-cultural sensibilities, then the president should take a definitive stand and outlaw the practice. Only then will I clap for him.” Efo Kordzo, said siding with the old man.
“But they brought us the Bible and asked us to believe its precepts and tenets, how come they are now promoting a practice that is clearly against the teachings of the Bible?” another man asked rhetorically but earnestly expecting some answers.
“May I advise David Cameron to dare suggest to their friends in the Arab world to recognize homosexuals in their society! The reaction to his statement would be immediate and swift. They would call him an infidel and rain curses upon him.” Kafui observed with passion.
The old man took some sip of the bubbling stuff, placed the calabash down carefully and wiped his mouth.
“It is illegal to marry two or more women in Britain today. If the British Premier thinks gay rights are basic human rights, I’d advise him to quickly amend that obsolete law and allow the Moslems and African men in Britain to marry more than a wife, since their religion and culture permit that. By so doing, he would be seen as the promoter of human rights. If he did that, we would also pass laws to recognize the rights of gays in our society.” The old man suggested; his frame visibly shaking, as he made his point forcefully.
“But old man, as a Christian, I believe this gay stuff is just one of the signs of the end time. I think we should braze ourselves for more moral problems as the world cruises to an end.” Efo Korku remarked, his eyes sizzling from an overdose of the stuff.
“Oh so you are one of those who have been brain-washed into believing that the world is set on a cause that we humans are powerless to stop huh? Then let us fold our arms and see everything go haywire because the Bible predicts it must happen.” The old man retorted rhetorically.
“Human rights are universal and inalienable. Society must not restrain anyone from expressing themselves. Homosexuality is as old as the Bible itself. I prefer palmwine but Cameron prefers whisky. I prefer my three wives, whilst John Bull prefers a broad-chested, muscular man for a ‘wife’. What’s the big deal? If it feels good, do it!!” one man remarked; knowing too well that his view was an unpopular one.
The group at the palmwine bar dispersed, hurling insults at the last man to express his views on the gay rights saga.
What is your view on this matter?
By: Bikor W. Ike
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