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Cardinal Peter Turkson: It’s time to learn about homosexuality

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However, he emphasised that same-sex relationships were remained "objectively sinful" and that the Church would not accept same-sex marriage. In July, Ghanaian MPs adopted provisions in a draught bill that would make identifying as LGBT criminal by a three-year jail term. People who advocate for LGBT rights might face up to ten years in prison. Gay intercourse is already illegal and punishable by a three-year jail term. The Ghanaian bishops, along with other important Christian groups in the nation, stated in an August statement that Western countries should "stop the incessant attempts to impose unacceptable foreign cultural values on us," according to the Catholic Herald newspaper.

According to Cardinal Peter Appiah Turkson, homosexuality should not be a criminal offence, and people should be educated to better comprehend the matter.

Cardinal Turkson’s remarks come as Ghana’s government debates a plan that would severely punish LGBT individuals.

His opinions contrast with those of Ghana’s Roman Catholic bishops, who consider homosexuality to be “despicable.”

Pope Francis hinted last month that he might be willing to have the Catholic Church bless same-sex marriages.

However, he emphasised that same-sex relationships remained “objectively sinful” and that the Church would not accept same-sex marriage.

In July, Ghanaian MPs adopted provisions in a draught bill that would make identifying as LGBT criminal by a three-year jail term. People who advocate for LGBT rights might face up to ten years in prison.

Gay intercourse is already illegal and punishable by a three-year jail term.

The Ghanaian bishops, along with other important Christian groups in the nation, stated in an August statement that Western countries should “stop the incessant attempts to impose unacceptable foreign cultural values on us,” according to the Catholic Herald newspaper.

Cardinal Turkson, who has been mentioned as a possible future pope candidate, told the BBC’s HARDtalk show that “LGBT people may not be criminalised because they have committed no crime.”

“It is time to start educating people, to help them understand what this reality, this phenomenon is.” “We need a lot of education to get people to… distinguish between what is and isn’t a crime,” he remarked.

The cardinal pointed to the statement “men who act like women and women who act like men” in one of Ghana’s languages, Akan. He contended that this demonstrated that homosexuality was not an imposition from without.

“If culturally we had expressions…it just means that it’s not completely alien to the Ghanaian society.”

Nonetheless, Cardinal Turkson believes that what has led to the present efforts in numerous African countries to adopt strong anti-gay legislation are “attempts to link some foreign donations and grants to certain positions… in the name of freedom, in the name of respect for rights.”

“Neither should this position also become… something to be imposed on cultures which are not yet ready to accept stuff like that.”

Uganda’s parliament approved a law in May that proposes life imprisonment for anyone convicted of homosexuality, as well as the death penalty in so-called aggravated cases, which include having gay sex with someone under the age of 18 or becoming infected with a life-long illness such as HIV.

Because of the move, the World Bank froze new loans to Uganda in August, and President Joe Biden said in October that the US will withdraw the country from a preferential trading agreement due to “gross violations of internationally recognised human rights.”

Cardinal Turkson was named the first Ghanaian cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2003. He is presently the Pontifical Academies of Sciences’ chancellor.

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14 injured, father and son killed in an accident

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About 14 people on board the commercial truck with registration number CR-553-16 were injured to varying degrees and were brought to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) for treatment. The remains have been sent to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation. The Jukwa Police Command has also opened an inquiry into the accident.

An overspeeding car killed a man and his two-year-old kid near Jukwa on the Twifu Praso-Cape Coast Highway.

The two were riding their motorcycles when the truck drove over them, killing them on the spot.

According to an eyewitness, the minibus driver lost control while attempting to overtake another vehicle, crashing with a motorbike and veering off into the jungle.

About 14 people on board the commercial truck with registration number CR-553-16 were injured to varying degrees and were brought to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) for treatment.

The remains have been sent to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation.

The Jukwa Police Command has also opened an inquiry into the accident.

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Anti-LGBTQ Bill: Supreme Court adjourns case indefinitely

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Prior to the adjournment, the court dismissed a preliminary objection submitted by the Speaker's counsel, Thaddeus Sory. The attorneys for the plaintiff, television journalist Richard Sky, attempted to change one of the reliefs in the request for injunction, but Mr Sory objected.

The Supreme Court has put the lawsuit against the Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, better known as the Anti-LGBTQ Bill, on hold indefinitely.

During a hearing on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that the documents filed by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin’s counsel included intemperate language.

The judge ordered the legal team to produce fresh documents.

Before the adjournment, the court dismissed a preliminary objection submitted by the Speaker’s counsel, Thaddeus Sory.

The attorneys for the plaintiff, television journalist Richard Sky, attempted to change one of the reliefs in the request for an injunction, but Mr Sory objected.

After consideration, the Apex Court presided over by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, concluded that the preliminary objection was superfluous.

Justice Torkornoo stated that each side has the right to present their case as they see appropriate, and chastised the Speaker’s team, saying, “You have wasted our time and energy for no reason.”

Richard Sky, a journalist, and Amanda Odoi, a researcher, have launched separate lawsuits against the measure, which is currently awaiting President Nana Akufo-Addo’s signature.

Mr Sky claims that Parliament’s approval of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill is illegal and requests that the highest court declare the bill null and invalid.

Dr. Odoi has also voiced concerns about several sections of the proposed bill.

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Reports of withdrawal from Ghana did not emanate from us – Société Générale

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"We do not wish to comment more. But, frankly, I insist that the papers are not from SG Ghana," he said. According to widely circulating claims, Société Générale would depart Ghana's banking business after 20 years. Société Générale has signed agreements with Saham Group to transfer its Moroccan businesses. Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and Chad were among the African nations withdrawn from in 2023. Citing its long-standing presence in Africa, Société Générale intends to focus its resources on regions where it can establish itself as a major bank, in accordance with its overarching plan announced on its website on April 12, 2024.

French bank Société Générale has categorically dismissed speculations of its exit from the Ghanaian banking industry, characterising them as unfounded conjecture.

The bank explained that it is revamping its operations to reflect worldwide market conditions better.

Addressing shareholder worries over the purported departure during the 44th Annual General Meeting, Société Générale’s Managing Director, Hakim Ouzzani, stated that the reports did not come from the bank itself.

“Some speculations have spread about SG Ghana. However, it is crucial to inform all of our stakeholders and shareholders that the news item being disseminated in the media was not released by the group or SG Ghana.

“We do not wish to comment more. But, frankly, I insist that the papers are not from SG Ghana,” he said.

According to widely circulating claims, Société Générale would depart Ghana’s banking business after 20 years.

Société Générale has signed agreements with Saham Group to transfer its Moroccan businesses. Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and Chad were among the African nations withdrawn from in 2023.

Citing its long-standing presence in Africa, Société Générale intends to focus its resources on regions where it can establish itself as a major bank, per its overarching plan announced on its website on April 12, 2024.

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