Ghanaian Opposition of LGBTQI+ Is not out of hatred- GPCC General Secretary

The General Secretary of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Apostle Immanuel Tettey, has firmly stated that LGBGTQI+ practices have no place in Ghana, aligning his stance with the Ghanaian culture, Christian, and Muslim teachings held by the majority of Ghanaians.

In a recent interview with GPCC News, Apostle Tettey emphasized that the widespread opposition to LGBTQI+ is not based in hatred towards individuals, but rather a rejection of practices deemed contrary to Ghanaian values. “The essential point is that LGBTQI+ practices go against our cultural values as Ghanaians, our Christian and Muslim teachings,” he asserted.

Clarifying Misconceptions and Promoting Understanding

Apostle Tettey addressed misconceptions surrounding the recently passed bill, awaiting presidential assent, which seeks to criminalize LGBTQI+ activities. He clarified that the law is not an instrument of hatred but a reinforcement of societal values. “Some are of the view that Christians are using the bill to incite hatred against LGBTQI+ people. But that is not true. The Christian and Muslim community, and traditional authorities, have all agreed that nobody should have hatred for LGBTQI+ individuals. We hate the practice. It is against our cultural values, and what we stand for,” he explained.

The General Secretary highlighted ongoing efforts to support and rehabilitate individuals who seek help regarding LGBTQI+ practices. “We spend money to support and help those who avail themselves of that support,” he said, reiterating the collective effort to provide assistance without compromising on cultural and religious values.

Independence from Western Financial Influence

Apostle Tettey also addressed the economic implications of the bill, particularly the threats from the Western world to withdraw financial support if the bill is enacted. He stressed the importance of maintaining Ghana’s cultural integrity over financial aid.

 “We cannot compromise our identity because of money. For us as Christians, it would be like Esau selling his birthright for a little meal from his brother Jacob. We don’t want to go on that path,” he stated.

He called for better management of Ghana’s economy and resources to ensure self-sufficiency. “God has blessed us with good values as Christians. As Ghanaian people, we shouldn’t trade that for a pittance of support from West. The important thing is for our leaders to help us manage our economy, resources, and finances well, and I’m sure we can take care of ourselves without any Western support,” he said.

Fighting Corruption and Wastage

Touching on issues of corruption, Apostle Tettey urged the government to take decisive actions against corruption and wastage, which he identified as significant barriers to economic independence.

 “We must fight against corruption and wastage. God has blessed us with everything we need: food, natural and human resources. The fact is that our educated people regularly travel abroad and excel in their various fields of practice and this shows that we have the requisite human resources to build our country. What we need to do is to develop our own society and system, without corruption, without wastage, and focus on critical areas,” he advised.

Encouraging Critical Thinking and Unity

He called for an end to divisive partisan politics and encouraged critical thinking and unity among Ghanaians. “People should be level-headed. We should be analytical and do critical thinking on issues so that we can manage our resources well. A lot of countries don’t have a tenth of the human and natural resources we have, and yet they are doing well. If we manage what God has given us well, we wouldn’t need any foreign aid,” Apostle Tettey concluded.

Source: GPCC News