The state has a duty of care to protect all of its citizens. However, it has completely failed to defend the rights of a certain sect of Ghanaians, simply because of their sexuality. Politicians, religious leaders, and certain opinion leaders, in the name of culture and religion, have even inflamed hatred against sexual minorities. The police is also guilty in this matter, as they have often failed to properly investigate anti-gay violence or arrest LGBTQ people themselves under unjust laws.
Intimate sexual relationships among people of the same gender continue to be deemed illegal under outmoded colonial-era laws. Gay people constantly face widespread discrimination, abuse, blackmail, and violence. There are frequent comments by politicians and religious leaders which seem to instigate the abuse of members of the LGBT community.
A recent violent attack on two young men, known to be Mutalib Ibrahim and Mohammed Mustapha, who were accused of being gays, in a neighborhood in Accra, Ghana highlights the intense homophobia and dangers faced by members of the LGBTQ community in the country. According to eyewitness accounts, Mutalib and Mohammed, both in their twenties, have for a long time been suspected of engaging in homosexual activities. And an anti-gay religious group in the neighborhood has since monitored the alleged partners.
According to reports though the two kept their relationship in secret, they were caught having sex, by a neighbor who then alerted an angry mob; the incident occurred in February of 2023. What followed was a horrific ordeal. Observers who where present on scene of the incident say that Mutalib and Mohammed were captured, locked in a room, and subjected to brutal torture by the mob. Mohammed consequently passed out from the attack. After Mutalib managed to escape, the fate of Mohammed remains unknown. Is it possible that he was killed? The million dollar question remains unanswered. Mutalib continues to be on the run for safety and his whereabouts are unclear.
We have since tried to get in touch with the Adenta Police Command to ask if some arrests have been made in connection with the incident, but the Police have not been forthcoming with any information. Family members and other community leaders have also refused to comment on the matter for fear of being targeted.
This uncivilized vigilantism against the two men simply for loving each other is an indication of the fervent atmosphere of danger engulfing the LGBTQ community in Ghana. The nation has to take steps to decriminalize same-sex relationships, pass and enforce stringent hate crime laws, so as to deter people from carrying out unlawful acts of violence. The police and courts need upgrading to effectively address violence and bias against LGBTQ citizens. Political and religious leaders must also avoid homophobic rhetorics which encourage discrimination.
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