We will not support gays - President Mills

President John Evans Atta Mills

President John Evans Atta Mills says the Ghana Government stands by its position that homosexuality is against the culture and norms of Ghanaians and, therefore, the government would not go against the wishes of the people.

He said the government will not support the practice of homosexuality so long as Ghanaian society frowns on it.

President Mills was answering questions from journalists on his arrival in Accra, from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, after attending the 18th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).

The UN Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon was reported to have told African leaders at the meeting that discrimination based on sexual orientation had been ignored or even sanctioned by many states for far too long.

“Confronting these discriminations is a challenge, but we must not give up on the ideas of the universal declaration of human right,” he was quoted as saying.

President Mills pointed out that, “Democracy means government of the people by the people and for the people. And if the people do not want it, no responsible leader will go against the wishes of the people.”

The President said the government would not support any legislation that would legalise homosexuality in the country.

President Mills, however, said Ghana did not discriminate against gays and lesbians, since there was no witch-hunting, and stressed that nobody had gone hunting for them, while nobody had been denied a job in Ghana because he was gay.

At the AU meeting, President Mills delivered a speech on, “Boosting Intra-African Trade”, which challenged African leaders to fast-track economic, democratic and social reforms.

A key feature at the meeting was the unveiling of a magnificent statue of Ghana's First President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, at the forecourt of the AU building.

President Mills thanked the AU for the historic and colourful unveiling ceremony which was attended by former President J.J. Rawlings, many Heads of State and two children of Dr Nkrumah, Prof Francis Nkrumah and Ms Samia Nkrumah.

He commended the Ghana Black Stars for their brilliant performance at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea and wished the team well in the remaining matches.

He asked all Ghanaians to pray for the team.