Recently, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), moderated by Right Reverend Professor Emmanuel Martey, stated that the church will "establish therapy centres for homosexual victims for counselling and rehabilitation in the various communities" to help "reduce the spread of homosexuality" in the country.

This is fuel to a raging fire that is now sweeping Ghana, where homosexuality is increasingly leveraged by politicians as an immediate threat to the health and future existence of the nation. Weeks ago, Ghana's Western Region Minister Paul Evans Aidoo called for the immediate arrest of all persons 'suspected of homosexual activity' in the region, ordering law enforcement agencies and even landlords to turn people in and make the arrests.

Rev. Martey also described homosexuality as "the result of demonic spirits," and in addition to the "vigorous" counseling, the PCG therapists will be praying for 'victims' so that "they will be free."

According to the PC(USA) and PCG websites, the two churches have a partnership with one another, and that Ghana is a site for PC(USA)'s "Young Adult Volunteer Program."

Last month, a change in PC(USA)'s constitution went into effect, removing the restriction against the ordination of partnered gay and lesbian ministers; additionally, the church does bless same-sex unions, has given considerable thought and research regarding sexual orientations, and has not declared homosexuality to be a result of "demonic posession" as claimed by PCG.

We are all keenly aware of the harm of "conversion therapy," be it prayer-based or in another form of counseling, and the fact that it is widely dismissed as valid or ethical.

PC(USA) must do the right thing by immediately denouncing PCG's intent to establish conversion therapy centers, and to immediately mediate this issue directly with Rev. Martey and the PCG General Assembly.