Dear GhanaWeb: My son is having an affair with a man

Dear GhanaWeb, As a father, I've always stood by my son, supporting him through thick and thin. But what's happening now is tearing me apart. My son, a 20-year-old university student, has always been a bit different. He behaves in a more feminine way since childhood, and I've struggled to accept it. But he's my son, and I love him no matter what. Recently, I discovered that an older man, posing as a pastor, has been exploiting my son's vulnerability and engaging in sexual activities with him. The man's in his 30s, and my son is just 20. The things I've seen and read in their WhatsApp conversations is like a nightmare I can't wake up from. I first met the man in October 2024, when my son was done with secondary school and was home. The man came to visit, and I saw them together. Later, I asked my son who he was, and he said he's a friend. I didn't like it, but I kept quiet. I saw him again a few times, and asked my boy about him. He said the man is a pastor and he speaks to him about God and also helps him with studies. I never questioned him about the man again until he came around again when he was on vacation last semester. So recently, I took his phone while he was bathing, and just like that, the first app I opened was his WhatsApp, and the first chat I opened happened to be the man's. I discovered their conversation was on anal sex, the man sends him videos of men making out, and they even have a video they both took together in the chat. In the video, they were having sex, and the man was on top of him. He was on top of my son, and they even recorded it. My son is defending this man, saying he consented to everything. He's angry with me for going through his phone, and we haven't spoken since. I'm torn between my love for my son and my duty to protect him. I've always taught him to be honest and strong, but now I feel like I'm losing him. Can I report the man and press charges, or will my son's consent be a barrier? Is there a way to help my son see the harm that's being done to him? What do I do now? FG/EB Tsatsu Tsikata revisits Rawlings’ legacy at commemorative birthday lecture Source: www.ghanaweb.com
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