P R E S S    R E L E A S E

Contrary to a popular perception, occasioned by the election of a Gay Bishop by the Church of the Province of the USA (Episcopal/Anglican) that Anglicans as a world-wide Communion support the practice of homosexuality/lesbianism and all that goes with it, the Anglican Church in Ghana, indeed, the Church of the Province of West Africa is unequivocally opposed to the phenomenon.  Our Church is, therefore, deeply disturbed, indeed outraged, that it has even been mooted to hold in our beloved soil and country a conference of persons of different sex orientation..

While affirming the Constitutional right of freedom of expression and gathering, we are unable to accept and encourage the practice of such freedom as is around the phenomenon of same sex orientation because it thereby placards a practice that is “contrary to nature”  (Paul’s Letter to the Romans 1 verse 27) and, therefore, is unacceptable to Christian conscience.  It is even more disturbing that a practice which is normally done in secret is now being openly espoused and made a virtue, with consequent corruptive effects on society.

We, therefore, like other Christian bodies, applaud the move of the Government of Ghana to disallow the assembly.  We further urge all Ghanaians to be circumspect in going about acts which are only “not natural” but also have corruptive influence on the moral fibre of society, especially the youth.  We as well urge all Ghanaians to endeavour to maintain the traditional Ghanaian norms of decency and propriety.  For a nation without memory of its past and sense of history is doomed to self-destruction.

Long live Ghana!  Long live Freedom of Gathering and Speech!  Long live Normal Standards of Decency and Propriety!

THE MOST REV’D. DR. JUSTICE OFEI AKROFI
THE ANGLICAN ARCHBISHOP OF THE CHURCH OF THE PROVINCE OF WEST AFRICA
AND BISHOP OF ACCRA.