Chiefs in Nzema who are members of the Western Regional House of Chiefs are demanding an unqualified apology from Prof Audrey Gadzekpo over her statement on LGBTQ and the Nzema culture.
These chiefs are Awulae Amihere Kpanyinli III, Eastern Nzema Traditional Area, Awulae Attibrukusu III, Lower Axim Traditional Area, Awulae Angama Tu-Agyan II, Gwira Traditional Area, Awulae Agyefi Kwame II, Nsein Traditional Area, Awulae Annor Adjaye III, Western Nzema Traditional Area and supported by Nana Kwesi Agyemang IX, Lower Dixcove Traditional Area and Nana Kobina Nketsia V of the Essikado Traditional Area.
This comes after Prof Audrey Gadzeko, a strong advocate of LGBTQ rights stated that homosexuality and same-sex marriage are a norm and part of Nzema culture.
The chiefs made these remarks in a press conference in Takoradi where Awulae Amihere Kpanyinle III indicated that the statement grossly embarrasses as well as ridicules Nzema heritage, social institutions and relationships.
According to him, Nzema cut across Ghana’s borders into Cote D’Ivoire and both Nzema in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire do not practice nor support homosexuality and same-sex marriage.
He said, “As the Chairperson of the esteemed Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), one expects an academic of Professor Gadzekpo’s standing to do assiduous research based on truth, fairness and objectivity into cultural institutions before publicly stating her opinions. This is to prevent people from being misunderstood and for the uninformed public to exhibit them to ridicule and scorn.”
“Reference to Nema marriage customs and practice, the work is too trivial to be used to rationalize Prof. Gadzekpo’s continued advocacy for Ghanaians to accept LGBT+ through the unfortunate and ill-informed suggestion that homosexuality and same-sex marriage is a norm and part of Nzema culture.
Categorically and without any equivocation, we hereby state that the Nzema of both Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire have not and do not practice homosexuality.”
Awulae Amihere Kpanyinle III further stated that Nzemas have a strong sense of identity laced with a set of values that have been passed down through generations and they commend Ghana’s parliament for the passing of the recent anti-LGBTQ bill.
“We can attest with utmost certainty that the claims made by Professor Gadzekpo are baseless fabrications. Her outlandish claim is troubling and damaging to our people and our Ancestors.”
“Throughout our history, our cultural practices have been and are steeped in traditions that uphold values of morality dignity, and integrity,” he added.
She is to render an apology before the chiefs in Nzema within seven (7) days.
