Canon Dr. Confidence Bansah, CEO of the Center for Religion and Public Life and lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, has reminded Member of Parliament for Assin and Pastor, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, that homosexuals are people in loving relationships and not criminals.
The religious leader urged Rev. Fordjour to treat LGBTQ+ persons with dignity and respect, emphasizing compassion over punishment.
In a series of posts on social media, the two have engaged in a back-and-forth over the controversial Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, which began when the MP posted a picture of Parliament’s Order Paper on October 21, expressing satisfaction that the bill was being reintroduced.
Canon Dr. Bansah responded to the post, reminding his colleague pastor that prayer should be the focus rather than imprisonment.
“By fostering an environment of understanding, support, and love, we can encourage those who have strayed to find their way back to grace,” he said.
Rev. Fordjour reacted to this, questioning his logic and suggesting that if pastors were only to pray for sinners, then all prisoners should be freed.
“Going by Canon Dr. Bansah’s logic, all laws must be abolished and all prisons closed,” he wrote on X.
In a direct reply to Fordjour’s post, Canon Dr. Bansah reaffirmed his position, saying homosexuals are human beings who deserve respect.
“Rev. Fordjour should know that homosexuals are people in loving relationships and not criminals. They commit no offence against anyone in society.”
“It is essential for all individuals to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their sexual orientation.”
“Understanding and acceptance are fundamental to creating a more inclusive society where love, in all its forms, can flourish.”
He also added a Bible Verse, taken from Amos 3:33, questioning, “Can two walk together, except they agree?”
