MISINFORMATION, IGNORANCE AND HYPOCRISY ABOUT SEXUALITY IN GHANA.
“I feel strongly that there is a scandalous acceptance of the sexual molestation of children in our society as part of life.
Little girls especially are at risk from grown men. It is not a subject we are willing to talk about.
Outrage at gay people, but not child molesters.”
From NBA*****[It is always painfully ludicrous to hear anyone railing against LGBT people on the basis of their being alien to African culture.
What misinformation and or palpable ignorance! The fact is – in Africa cultures, we have never considered sexuality as binary.
Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion – no matter how bigoted. But no one is entitled to their own facts; facts are sacred.]
“I believe that this situation will persist unless we are ready to talk about these matters.
There is great reluctance to talk about sex generally unless it is to express outrage at homosexuality.
…….The reaction so far to my story has been overwhelming.
Everybody is uncomfortable with the story.
It is an uncomfortable story and telling it is uncomfortable and I am not surprised if reading it is uncomfortable.”
From NBA******[Hughes’ work references the violence in history and its residual effects on contemporary society. His visual vocabulary combines tribal art, commercial signage, symbols, text and urban iconography to explore socio-political issues.
The number 1962 in the painting references his birth year…..and it is exactly a decade after the first violent attack on her – when she was 7 years old as reported by Ms. Ohene.
The 2 females- one younger and the other older in traditional clothes and head dress, reference the child and grandmother in Ms. Ohene’s reports.
The ogre with the gun needs no commenting on…..does he look like anyone that you know or have seen recently? If he does, then please get your fire extinguisher with foam ready for the next time you meet him.
Ms. Ohene’s two recent articles cut through the hypocrisy, ignorance and hogwash that permeates almost all public discourse in Ghana. She throws down the gauntlet, bares her soul while speaking truth to power – the naked truth.
And of course there is a resounding silence from the usual talkative and chattering heads – so called ‘big men’ and opinion leaders.
In the face of Reason, they always hide and brood in silence; they wait till things blow over and then return to their iniquities.
Ms. Ohene’s two articles are a must read.]
“Some have said I am brave to have gone public with the story. It has taken me 67 years to summon the courage to tell the story and so I’m not sure about the bravery bit.
Some have said it is unfair to pour out such filth into the public space. I have no comment on that.
Many people, mostly women, have thanked me and said it has given them the courage to deal with their own personal demons.
I am humbled.
If this will lead to more openness in talking about sexual practices and maybe equip and empower children to deal with abuse, I would go to my grave a happy woman.”
– ELIZABETH OHENE.
👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 👏🏿👏🏿 I am filled with sorrow and revulsion at the absence of the usual cacophony emanating from the hypocrites and loudmouths corners since Ohene’s purging of her personal demons. I salute her courage and bravery in the midst of our very closed society that devalues the female child.
A lady I know told me she was raped when she was 12 or 13 by an uncle who lived in the family home.
She was beaten for accusing him.
She attempted suicide when she was 15 & destroyed her intestines. She lives with psychological issues, plus chronic stomach issues today.
As a woman in her forties she says she remembers every detail about that day & the uncle is still alive was never charged.😕
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We pray that GOD Himself will heal her and have mercy on those that abused and persecuted her.
🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿