Professor Gadzekpo in Trouble with Nzema Chiefs: giving 7-day ultimatum to appear before leaders over gay comments

Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, the esteemed Board Chair of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), finds herself at the heart of a significant controversy with Nzema Chiefs concerning gay comments.

Six paramountcies of Nzema-Land have issued a seven-day ultimatum for her to appear before their leaders.

This demand comes in response to remarks she made suggesting that homosexual practices are historically present within Ga and Nzema cultures.

These comments, made during an appearance on Joy Newsfile on March 2, 2024, have sparked a wave of discontent and outrage among the Nzema communities.

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During the broadcast, Professor Gadzekpo opined, “There are homosexual practices in Ga culture, there are practices in Nzema culture, for example, that sociologists have documented.”

This statement, intended to challenge prevailing narratives about the origins of homosexual practices in Ghanaian culture, instead ignited a firestorm of criticism from the Nzema community.

The chiefs, representing the aggrieved Nzema-Land, held a joint press conference to publicly voice their grievances and call for an explanation from Professor Gadzekpo.

Chief Awulae Ati Brukusu III, speaking on behalf of the paramount chiefs, vehemently refuted Gadzekpo’s claims, emphasizing the absence of such practices in their culture and the dishonor her comments have brought upon the Nzema people.

He articulated the community’s shock and dismay, highlighting the potential for misunderstanding and misinterpretation among the youth and the broader society about Nzema cultural norms.

The paramount chiefs’ demand for an apology is not just a call for a simple act of contrition but a profound request for respect towards their traditions, values, and the dignity of the Nzema people.

They insist that Professor Gadzekpo’s comments have misrepresented and insulted their culture, demanding she makes amends by meeting with them in the Western Region to offer a formal apology.

Furthermore, Chief Awulae Ati Brukusu III suggested that the gravity of the situation might necessitate traditional pacification rites for each stool holder, underscoring the depth of offense taken by the community.

This incident has opened up a broader conversation about the intersection of culture, tradition, and modern societal issues in Ghana.

It underscores the delicate balance between academic freedom, cultural sensitivity, and the importance of respecting traditional beliefs and practices.

As the situation unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in navigating Ghana’s rich tapestry of cultural diversity in an increasingly globalized world.

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