Thursday November 3, 2011
By Edmund Mingle
President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday declared that homosexuality will never be legalized in Ghana under his watch, calling off the bluff of the British government which plans to withdraw aid to developing countries that have not legalized homosexuality.
He said the Britain cannot dictate to Ghana to legalise such a destructive practice, stressing that Ghana would not accept aid with conditions that can destroy the social fibre of the nation.
“No one can deny Prime Minister Cameroon his right to make policies, take initiatives or make statements that reflect societal norms and ideals.
“But he does not have the right to direct other sovereign nations as to what they should do especially where their societal norms and ideals are different from those that exist in the Prime Minister Cameron’s society,” President Mills said during an interaction with the Presidential Press Corps at the Castle in Accra.
“I, as President of this nation, will never initiate or support any attempts to legalize homosexuality in Ghana, he said in response to a question about Ghana’s position on the British Prime Minister’s statement that his country would no more give aid to aid beneficiary countries that were against homosexuality.
Mr. Cameron, who made the statements in an interview with the BBC on the sidelines of the Commonwealth meeting at Perth, Australia, also demanded that aid beneficiary nations “adhere to proper human rights” by reforming their legislation to accept homosexuality.
But President Mills, in what is his first public statement on homosexuality, noted that as a government “we will abide by the principles enshrined in our Constitution which is supreme.”
Whilst acknowledging all the financial assistance and aid offered the development partners, he said “we will not accept any aid with strings attached, if that aid will not inure to our interest, or the utilization of that aid would rather worsen our plight as a nation, or destroy the very society that we want to use the money to improve.”
President Mills, who address a wide range of issues, noted that the government was focused on developing the nation, and would not be allowed to be distracted from the implementation of the better Ghana agenda.
On why he was absent from the Commonwealth meeting, he said he had to stay home to attend to pressing national issues such as the doctors strike, the preparation of the nation budget and flood disaster.
He was of the view that it was worthwhile staying back to help in resolving the challenges, and thanked the Vice President for representing the nation and making tremendous contributions discussions at the summit.
Giving an update on government’s commitment to provide funds to enable the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to construct storm drains as a measure to address the perennial floods that affect the capital, President Mills said he has held a series of meetings with stakeholders on the matter, adding that the funds would be available soon.
Touching on politics and the recent statements by the NPP flag bearer that he would win the next year’s elections “at all cost” using all means, President Mills bemoaned the beating of war drums by the opposition.
“We shouldn’t take Ghanaians for granted. Ghanaians want peace,” he said, and reiterated his commitment to ensure that the elections were conducted in a free and fair manner to ensure that the outcome of the impending polls were very credible.
On the recent happenings of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), President Mills urged all parties to put their differences aside and work together to promote the GOC for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
“The GOC has had too many problems,” and expressed delight that the problems have been resolved, with the holding its congress.
He congratulated the members of the new leadership on their election, and new leadership to cooperate with all stakeholders.
President Mills, who expressed appreciation to the presidential press corps for their dedication, support and cooperation, also gave indications of taking his leave, after a very busy year.
“At the moment we are working on the budget, and once we see our way clear, I can take a little rest,” he said.
END
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment