University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh UNIVERSITY OF GHANA RELIGION AND HOMOSEXUALITY IN GHANA: ASSESSING THE FACTORS CONSTRAINING THE LEGALISATION OF HOMOSEXUALITY IN GHANA: A STUDY OF THE KLOTTEY KORLE SUB-METROPOLITAN AREA OF ACCRA BY JUSTICE YAW ADUA (10599621) THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY SOCIOLOGY DEGREE JULY 2018 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION I declare that with the exception of works of others cited which have been duly acknowledged, the thesis is the result of my own field investigation carried out under the supervision of Prof. Michael P.K. Okyerefo and Prof. Kodjo Senah of the Sociology Department. To the best of my knowledge, this thesis has never been presented wholly or in part to any institution or university for the award of a degree. JUSTICE YAW ADUA ………………… …………........... (STUDENT) SIGNATURE DATE REV. PROF. MICHAEL P.K. OKYEREFO …………………… ………………… (SUPERVISOR) SIGNATURE DATE PROF. KODJO SENAH ………………… …………………. (SUPERVISOR) SIGNATURE DATE i University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my family and friends, for being supportive throughout the study. ii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I am very grateful to the Almighty God for seeing me through the completion of this research, without Him I could not have made it. I express my profound appreciation to my benevolent supervisors, Prof. M.P.K Okyerefo and Prof. Kodjo Senah, who guided me throughout this project. Many thanks go to David Adumbire, David Nasere, and Nehemiah Tiswin Timothy who did a great job throughout the period of this study and to all my Homosexual friends. Additionally, I am grateful to family members, friends and loved ones for their encouragement throughout the period of undertaking this study. Inspite of all the support I have received, I am wholly reliable for all misinterpretations or misrepresentation of facts and figures in this thesis. iii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents Page DECLARATION............................................................................................................................ i DEDICATION............................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ........................................................................................................... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................ iv LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................................... x ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. xi CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................... 1 GAY AND LESBIANISM: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ....................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background to the Problem .................................................................................................. 4 1.3 Problem Statement ............................................................................................................... 7 1.4 Research Aim ..................................................................................................................... 10 1.5 Specific Objectives ............................................................................................................. 10 1.6 Research Questions ............................................................................................................ 10 1.7 Justification of Research .................................................................................................... 10 1.8 Organisation of the Study ................................................................................................... 11 1.9 Definition of terms ............................................................................................................ 12 CHAPTER TWO ........................................................................................................................ 13 LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................................... 14 iv University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 2.1 The Etiology of homosexuality ........................................................................................... 14 2.1.1Homosexual Experiences in the Western World ........................................................... 16 2.1.2The Ancient Greece Era ................................................................................................ 17 2.1.3 The Medieval Era ......................................................................................................... 18 2.1.4 The Modern Era ............................................................................................................ 19 2.2 The Rights of Homosexuals and their current status in Africa ........................................... 20 2.3 Homosexual Experiences in Ghana ..................................................................................... 22 2.4 Legitimate Sex and The State.............................................................................................. 25 2.5 Religion and Homosexuality ............................................................................................... 26 2.6 Culture and Homosexuality ................................................................................................. 27 2.7 Industrialization and Attitude change ................................................................................. 29 2.8 Politics, Donor aid and issue of Homosexuality in Ghana .................................................. 30 2.9 The Basic Rights of Homosexuals in Ghana ...................................................................... 32 2.9.1 Association and Privacy ............................................................................................... 32 2.9.2 Non-discrimination ....................................................................................................... 34 2.9.3 Advocates for homosexual rights in Ghana .................................................................. 37 2.9.4 Right to Health.............................................................................................................. 38 2.9.5 Right to Dignity ............................................................................................................ 40 2.10 Theoretical Framework ..................................................................................................... 41 2.10.1 The affective component ............................................................................................ 41 2.10.2 The cognitive component ........................................................................................... 42 2.10.3 The Behavioural Component ...................................................................................... 42 2.10.4 Social Learning Theory .............................................................................................. 43 2.10.5 Attribution theory of controllability ........................................................................... 44 2.11 Criticisms and Relevance of the Theories ......................................................................... 45 2.11 Religiousity, Religious Commitment and Attitudes toward Homosexuals...................... 46 CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................... 49 METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................................... 49 3.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 49 3.1 Research Philosophy and Paradigm .................................................................................... 49 v University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 3.2 Study Population ................................................................................................................. 51 3.3 Selection of Respondents .................................................................................................... 51 3.4 Data Processing/Analysis .................................................................................................... 53 3.5 Inclusion/Exclusion criteria................................................................................................. 53 3.6 Ethical Consideration .......................................................................................................... 54 3.7 Expected Outcome/Results ................................................................................................