Same-Sex Marriage in Ghana: Scripture, Health Law and Bioethics

Abstract

Same-sex relationship is not a recent phenomenon. In the Christian scripture (Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13) are traces of sexual prohibitions which have guided the morality of Christian marriage for years. Also, early colonial regulations in the Gold Coast (and perhaps other British colonies) contained strict prohibitions against homosexuality. In Ghana today, same-sex marriage is an illegal and ethical subject attracting diverse opinions. Whilst some Western countries recognize same-sex marriage and provide free movement as well as residency permits for same-sex couple, the marriage is repressed, criminalized and forbidden in most parts of Africa (if not entirely). The paper is to examine same-sex marriage and the extent to which scripture, health law and bioethics have shaped and informed attitudes toward homosexual activities in Ghana today. The paper examines Christian scriptural and bioethical responses which can serve as a means for co-existence.

Keywords: Same-sex marriage, Scripture, Health law, Bioethics, Co-existence

DOI: 10.7176/DCS/11-4-04

Publication date: April 30^th 2021