Gay conference
banned in Ghana

The government of Ghana has banned a planned conference for gay men and lesbians, the BBC reports. The conference was reportedly scheduled to take place on Monday at the Accra International Conference Centre and at a venue in the city of Koforidua.

But information minister Kwamena Bartels said the gathering would not be permitted, as homosexuality is illegal in Ghana. "Government does not condone any such activity which violently offends the culture, morality, and heritage of the entire people of Ghana," he said. "Unnatural carnal knowledge is illegal under our criminal code. Homosexuality, lesbianism, and bestiality are therefore offenses under the laws of Ghana."

Bartels warned that disciplinary action would be taken if anyone was found to have contravened the law. The BBC reported that it has been difficult to establish precisely who was organizing the conference and whether it had received any prior approval from any official quarter. Managers of the International Conference Centre have denied that such a conference was due to take place at the venue. (The Advocate)