Andrew Solomon is doing more harm to Mahama

Former NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for Adenta constituency, Kojo Adu Asare, has taken a swipe at the renowned author and gay activist, Andrews Solomon, claiming that he (Andrews Solomon) is doing more harm than good to President John Dramani Mahama.

The controversial issue of homosexuality which made the headlines last year and a couple of weeks ago, resurfaced again after the New York Times on February 9, 2013 published an article by Mr Andrews Solomon.


The gay and lesbian's rights advocate, in his post, touched on the raging debate on homosexuality in Ghana; his (Solomon's) relationship with President John Mahama and how it all began, including the recent denial and quick u-turn of the Information and Media Relations Minister Mahama Ayariga on the relationship between himself and President John Mahama.


Mr Solomon courted controversy when he was alleged to be lobbying for the legalisation of gays and lesbians through his closeness to the presidency. According to critics, the fact that President Mahama invited him (Solomon) to the launch of his book: “My First Coup D’état” is enough evidence to prove that indeed Mr Solomon is in bed with the President, lobbying for homosexuals.


However, in a quick rebuttal, Minister of Information, Mahama Ayariga at a press conference categorically stated that President Mahama had no relationship with Mr Solomon and that their meeting at his book launch was a mere coincidence.


After realising that he had faulted in his assertion, the Information Minister later came out to admit that Mr Solomon had a friendly relationship with the President when he was then Vice-President.

In the article in the New York Times, Mr. Solomon narrated how he met President Mahama and the contributions he made towards the launch of the book. Whiles calling on President John Mahama to take a lead role in promoting gay and lesbian's rights in the West African sub-region, he also responded to the denial and quick u-turn of the Information Minister on his relationship with the President.


According to him, the president personally called to apologise to him, a day after his minister had put out an obviously incorrect information.


Contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM’s morning show ‘Kokrokoo’ with host Tweneboa Kodua (TK), Adu Asare said the fact that the gay lobbyist was urging President Mahama to take a leading role in advocating for homosexuals in West Africa does not mean he will get up and do it.


“I still have a problem…people will do anything just to smear you and I can see that that is the agenda; to implicate the President at all cost. The president has already stated his position on homosexuality. It is not possible for President Mahama to even impose that kind of act on Ghanaians…For me in as much as whatever relationship exists within them in terms of friendship, this man is doing the president a lot of harm by making such unguarded statement. He is not making one sense to me at all.


The President’s apology does not mean he has accepted the practice of gays and homosexuals. I think the President acknowledges his role as an author but he will not accept that kind of practice knowing the kind of President we have in this country…” he noted.