I would have loved to avoid discussing Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in this column. My reason is very simple: My anger at the mischief and ignorance on display is such that I may be compelled to use words which might affect other people’s sensibilities. But since I’ve decided to discuss the subject, I will try my best not to make my tongue lose control.
That the CSE issue was the most topical last week is an understatement. It has generated so much heat that my illiterate mum, who is mostly oblivious of happenings in the country, kept on questioning me about CSE.
I was with a friend when I first heard the discussion on radio and I told him the discussion would afford some of our folks the opportunity to inflict their political mischief and crass ignorance on us. And have I not been vindicated? The discussion so far can aptly be described as a cocktail of political mischief, crass ignorance and religious sentimentalism.
As for the bunch of propagandists under the eagle-headed Umbrella, their loud voice is understandable. Of course, they are only peddling mischief to gain political points from the episode. Is it therefore any wonder that they released two old videos purporting to teach pupils promiscuity in order to promote their propagandist agenda?
Are the videos achieving their intended purpose? I think so. A great number of my teachers, who are professionals, were very excited when they sighted the videos. Surprisingly, they did not bother to ask who made the video, when it was made and for what purpose. I was not surprised considering the fact that ours is a system that produces graduates who swallow everything hook, line and sinker.
It is the reason I question the delay by the Education Ministry and the Ghana Education Service (GES) in responding to the issue. How could they have underestimated the mischievous prowess of Zu-za and allow so much water to pass under the bridge? I would equate their response to closing the gate long after the horse had left the stable.
I’ve read the statements released by numerous religious bodies from both sides of the religious divide and I share in their sentiments. Under no circumstance must we, as a people, allow foreign powers dictate to us the type of sexual education we should give our children. But the truth is that none of the statements discussed the issue in relation to the GES document. Most arguments centred on our cultural beliefs and religious sentimentalism, without recourse to the document under discussion.
Do not get me wrong, Abusuapanin! I may be a moderate Muslim but there are things I do not compromise on; and one of those is the issue of homosexuality, lesbianism, LGBT or whatever you want to call it. Any Muslim worth his salt knows the Bearded Old Man above frowns on same-sex mating, same-sex marriage and their kind. It is the reason He destroyed Lot’s people as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. (You may read Qur’an chapter 7 vrs 80-84, if you doubt me.)
What therefore is my point? My point is that let’s not discuss the CSE issue in abstract. In other words, the discussion should be situated within the confines of the document under discussion so we can all make objective and meaningful deductions.
Be that as it may, the various religious groupings deserve commendation for their activism on the matter. But I’m wondering if they will go back to sleep, and allow homosexuality and lesbianism to fester in our senior high schools and prisons, only to wake up from their slumber and release a statement on another burning national issue.
Abusuapanin, the bitter truth is that the two institutions mentioned above have become breeding grounds for homosexuals and lesbians. My Institute of Commercial Management (ICM) International Relations Graduate Diploma project work in 2015 was a case study on the conjugal rights of the Nsawam prisoner. The research found out that same sex among inmates was as rampant as it was alarming. It also revealed that 98% of respondents favoured the introduction of conjugal visitation right. Other researchers have had similar findings. What is therefore stopping our religious bodies from becoming advocates for conjugal rights for prisoners?
When President Nana Dee said the legalization of same-sex mating was bound to happen, many were those who criticised him. But with this Kwaku Ananse type of activism about the ills of homosexuality and lesbianism, President Naa Dee’s prediction is likely to happen sooner than later.
As for those trying desperately to smear President Nana Dee with the homosexuality tag, it is a pity their propaganda has failed because we know better. We do know the presidents and vice-presidents who were literally and figuratively in bed with Andrew Solomon, an unrepentant homosexual. So they should spare us the discordant noise!
Hope to see you next week for another interesting konkonsa, Deo volente!