Reports from victims and paralegals indicate a troubling rise in cases of abuse against LGBTQ+ individuals in several areas, including Mim, Goaso, Wenchi, Sunyani, Nkoranza, Techiman, and Tepa, which, although located in the Ashanti region, is geographically close to towns in Bono East, Bono Ahafo, and Ahafo regions.
Many of these abuses are linked to blackmailers and anti-LGBTQ+ groups, often consisting of organized violent groups of 3 to 5 people, who use social media to target and harm gay individuals. While such hate crimes were previously concentrated in areas like Accra (specifically Christian Village and nearby communities) and Kumasi (including Asuofia and Barekese Road), they have now spread to numerous towns and cities across Ghana.
One victim, recounting a recent incident in Mim in the Ahafo region, shared that he was attacked and robbed by four men who beat him and showed him videos of how they had previously abused other victims. The attackers also mentioned their affiliations with other violent anti-LGBTQ+ groups in the region, referencing an incident in Techiman where a gay person was assaulted, and a video of the attack had been circulated on social media.
The Executive Director of Rightify Ghana, in efforts to secure the victim’s release, was threatened by the same violent group. One of the group members reportedly said, “You are part of them, eh? We know you are also gay,” and suggested going after the Director later. They also made clear their defiance of the police, saying, “If you like, we can send you our location,” using the victim’s phone and number during the exchange, which they did not return.
The increase in attacks on the LGBTQI+ community in Ghana can be attributed to the introduction of a far-reaching anti-LGBTQ+ bill, which is currently under discussion in Parliament, as well as the homophobic rhetoric from religious, traditional, political, and media figures. In the Bono and Ahafo regions, some traditional leaders have openly supported the bill, contributing to the growing atmosphere of intolerance.
For instance, in October 2021, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, the Chief of Dormaa in the Bono region and a Justice of the High Court, strongly endorsed the anti-LGBTQ+ bill and threatened to mobilize 10,000 anti-LGBTQ+ protesters to storm Parliament in support of the bill. A youth group from Bono also publicly supported the chief, declaring their united stance against LGBTQ+ rights and promising to rally millions of people in opposition.
Similarly, in December 2021, Odeneho Dr. Affram Brempong III, the Paramount Chief of the Suma Ahenkro Traditional Area in Bono region and an Elder of the Church of Pentecost, honored eight lawmakers and the Speaker of Parliament for their efforts in championing the anti-LGBTQ+ bill. Each of the lawmakers received a golden sword and a citation at a special ceremony, further solidifying the strong support for the bill within the region.
