Muslims Call for Homosexual Prohibition®
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri & Michael Ciaglo

THE MUSLIM community in Ghana has called on government to introduce a “Prohibition of Homosexuality and Lesbianism Bill” that would criminalize homosexual acts.
The details of this bill, which would imprison homosexuals without the option of a fine, were presented at a Coalition of Muslim Organizations, Ghana (COMOG) news conference on Thursday morning.
COMOG bemoaned homosexuality and called for a collective effort from government and religious groups to battle it.
“The community hereby urges all of us – Christians, Muslims, traditionalists, government and opposition – to unite as one concerned people to fight the common twin – homosexuality and lesbianism – as well as their byproduct – same sex marriage,” said Alhaji Mohammed Easah, National President of COMOG.

Alhaji Mohammed Easah, (center) national president of COMOG, speaks out against homosexuality

Earlier this week, the Christian Council of Ghana held a similar press conference denouncing homosexuality and calling on all religious organizations and “decent-loving Ghanaians” to join the campaign against the practice.
Alhaji Easah also noted that “all religious organizations have condemned homosexuality in strong terms. We, the Muslim community, condemn the practice as disgusting, repugnant, unacceptable and alien to our culture and national norms, and also alien to our natural behavior as a people.”
The current Ghanaian Criminal Code, section 104(1) (b), outlaws “unnatural carnal knowledge,” a phrase interpreted to mean homosexual intercourse. COMOG is calling for government to go one step further and implement stricter regulations against all homosexual activities.
Alhaji Esaha said the proposed bill, if passed into law by parliament, would attract severe penalties including long prison terms with no option of a fine and disqualification from appointment or promotion to any public office or position.
Alhaji Easah urged traditional rulers and opinion leaders to join the fight and assist police in identifying and prosecuting gays and lesbians, adding “Any person who fails to report a homosexual or lesbian that approaches him or her to engage in such acts also commits the offense.”
In an attempt to garner widespread acceptance of the bill, Alhaji Easah advocated for all political parties to agree on a stance against homosexuality.
“Let this fight be not an NDC/NPP affair, but an all-hands-on-deck affair,” Alhaji Easah said. “Let government, the opposition and the people unite to prosecute this fight to success – in the ultimate interest of Ghanaians.”