An industrialist named Dr. William Mensah-Ansah has encouraged the African Union (AU) to adopt a uniform stance on LGBTIQA+ problems in order to protect Africans against practices that seek to change their cultural identity.
He said that in order to counter threats of economic sanctions against countries that had already passed legislation outlawing LGBTIQA+ practises or were in the process of doing so, the AU must band together.
Dr. Mensah-Ansah used the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, stating that “every individual shall have the right to the respect of the dignity inherent in a human being and to the recognition of his legal status.”
“All forms of exploitation and degradation of man shall be prohibited, particularly slavery, slave trade, torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment and treatment.”
He questioned if the behaviour of LGBTIQA+ people could be viewed as a human rights issue and emphasised the significance of the AU adopting a unifying position to protect African culture and human dignity.
In addition, Dr. Mensah-Ansah cited Aspiration 6 of the AU Agenda 2063, which asks for “An Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children.”
He asserts that Agenda 2063 mandates that we live in a more inclusive society where all citizens actively participate in decision-making in all areas and no child, woman, or man is left behind or excluded because of gender, political affiliation, religion, ethnic affiliation, locality, age, or other factors.
In order to confront the current LGBTIQA+ threat, he stressed the urgent need for the AU to align its laws and policies.
“LGBTIQA+ issues offer a new struggle for the protection of African identity; we must unite in our collective interest to stand against any sanctions,” he stated.
Additionally, Dr. Mensah-Ansah applauded Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and other African nations for their resolute positions on LGBTIQA+ concerns.
But he emphasized the significance of safeguarding everyone’s human rights, regardless of gender.
