Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Protection Will Not Promote Gay Rights - Prez Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama, in his inaugural State of the Nation Address, has defined the role of the newly-designated Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection stating emphatically that the mandate of the sector Minister is not to promote gay rights. President Mahama on the floor of Parliament today indicated that the Ministry is primarily tasked to protect the welfare of all Ghanaians and so, ensure that the poor in society are not marginalized. Coming to the defence of the sector Minister, Nana Oye Lithur, the President noted that “Oye Lithur is experienced and capable and many would see her expertise through her work soon.” This is seemingly to prove her critics wrong in critiquing her performance as Head of the Ministry. Nana Oye Lithur’s appointment as Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection courted controversy in the moral fabric of the nation as some civil societies and the Clergy Association slammed her for supporting the rights of gays. The critics called on her to declare her stance on the practice of homosexuality in the country, fearing that she would compromise the position of Ghana on the issue. Following her vetting, Nana Oye Lithur made it clear that her ministerial appointment will not be exploited to promote the practice but rather she seeks to protect the rights of all Ghanaians, including homosexuals. President Mahama also gave credence to Nana Oye Lithur’s position, opining that; “the mandate of the ministry for Gender, Children, and Social Protection is not for the promotion of gay rights but to bring the fragmented schemes addressing marginalized people together.” He further stressed that; “the ministry will establish a database of our poorest people and work to enhance their access to social benefits. We cannot advance as a nation half poor and half rich."

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana