On the 24th of February, Ghana security forces raided and shut down the office of an LGBTQ rights group in the capital, Accra, after politicians and religious leaders called for its closure saying, “the issue of the criminality of LGBTQ is non-negotiable and our cultural practices also frown on it”
Ghana’s Catholic church bishops’ conference had also released a statement last Saturday demanding the LGBTQ rights center be shut down and condemned “all those who support the practice of homosexuality in Ghana”
Same-sex relationships are considered illegal in Ghana attracting up to 25 years in prison, however, according to Human Rights Watch, the law is “a colonial legacy that is rarely if ever, enforced, and unlike several of its neighbors, Ghana has not taken steps in recent years to stiffen penalties against consensual same-sex conduct”
Nonetheless, the opening of the center on the 31st of January amplified discrimination against the community. Foreign diplomats who graced the opening event came under fire by some Ghanaians, accused of trying to impose their values and beliefs on Ghanaians who are also against homosexuality.
The LGBTQ rights organization had also received multiple threats of having their property destroyed.
Alex Donkor, Director of the Organization responded to the situation by saying that he fears for his safety however, “Ghana is a free country and we expect the president and the security agencies to rather protect us instead of threatening us,” The group has however urged its members and queer Ghanaians to stay calm and remain safe despite the unfortunate event
