Homosexuality is a treatable disorder: chief psychiatrist

Ghana--Homosexuality is a psychiatric disorder which can be treated, according to Akwasi Osei, Chief Psychiatrist at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Modern Ghana reports.

"The way forward is to let these people accept that they have a problem and that they can be treated."

"Conversion," "reparative" or "reorientation" therapy, while promoted by some conservative and extremist religious groups, is considered unethical and harmful by all the major mainstream psychological, psychiatric and medical organizations, and there has been no scientifically adequate demonstration of its efficacy.  Male same-sex sexual acts are illegal in Ghana.  Under the Criminal Code 1960– Chapter 6, Sexual Offences Article 105:

"Whoever is guilty of unnatural carnal knowledge— (a) of any person without his consent, is guilty of first degree felony; (b) of any person with his consent, or of any animal, is guilty of a misdemeanor."

Female same-sex sexual activity is not addressed by the law.

On July 21, 2011, Paul Evans Aidoo, the Western Region Minister, called for all gay people in the west of the country to be rounded up and arrested, and for landlords and tenants to inform on people they suspected of being gay.