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Leaders of faith-based and traditional societies in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis have called for concerted efforts to discourage homosexuality and other unnatural sexual practices, which they say, are gaining grounds in the country.

The leaders, who expressed their concerns at a meeting held at the Western Region House of Chiefs, in Sekondi, said there were reports of the rise in homosexuality, lesbianism, gayism and bisexualism, which were alien to Ghana’s culture.

They comprised pastors of orthodox, charismatic and Pentecostal churches, Muslim leaders, and chiefs and queenmothers.

The meeting was organised by the National Coalition for Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values, and held on the theme, “Curbing the Menace of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Activism”.

The Christian and Muslim leaders said their respective faiths abhorred these sexual practices because they were un-natural, while the traditional rulers said such practices desecrated their stools.

They encouraged the public to muster the courage to expose the perpetrators since they lived in the communities with them, while those who become victims must report to the law enforcement agencies for the perpetrators to be dealt with.

Speaking on the topic, “Homosexuality – The Psychiatric and Medical Perspectives”, Dr Akwasi Osei, the National Chief Psychiatrist, described the practices as “abnormality”, but said those who engaged in it had different perspectives.

Dr Osei, who is a member of the Coalition, said the practice had health implications, which could jeopardise the lives of the practitioners, so they must be discouraged.

Mr Moses Foh-Amoaning, the Executive Secretary of the Coalition, said the harmful effects of the practices, coupled with the youth the growing attraction of the youth to them, influenced the formation of the Coalition to educate the public against the dangers.

He appealed to all well-meaning citizens to support their cause to prevent Ghana’s future leaders from indulging in these social vices, which were detrimental to their wellbeing and careers.

Mr Foh-Amoaning said some African countries had decisively opposed the practice, hence Ghana must do same.