LGBT advocates’ lives are in jeopardy in northern Ghana

‘The most dangerous places for LGBTQI+ human rights defenders in Ghana’

Attacks on LGBTQI+ rights defenders in northern Ghana

Homophobic violence has broken out in northern and northwestern Ghana, especially targeting human rights defenders, the LGBTQI+ advocacy group Rightify Ghana reports.

The following account is based on the group’s posts on X/Twitter.

Human rights defenders supporting LGBTQI+ communities in Tamale, in the north, and Wa, in the upper west, are under severe threat. From physical attacks, eviction, and death threats to media-led defamation and economic sabotage, these defenders are being punished for standing up against hate.

In Tamale, two defenders are now homeless—one was beaten, fined, and banished, the other received a death threat.

In Wa, a journalist led a public campaign naming and shaming queer individuals, resulting in threats and business losses.

Tamale and Wa have become the most dangerous places for LGBTQI+ human rights defenders in Ghana.

In these regions:

Traditional authorities, homophobic mobs, and media figures lead anti-LGBTQI+ campaigns
Defenders face violence, blackmail, eviction, and public defamation
Limited protection or support systems exist for affected activists

The situation threatens not just individuals, but entire community support systems.

Map of Ghana shows Wa in the northwest and Tamale in the northeast. (Map courtesy of From Many Kingdoms, We Became One: The History of Ghana) — Map of Ghana shows Wa in the northwest and Tamale to its east. (Map courtesy of From Many Kingdoms, We Became One: The History of Ghana)

Events in Wa, Ghana

Photos of two queer individuals were circulated online by local radio stations and influencers
This incited threats, verbal attacks, and physical violence against the individuals
Prince Abayema, a journalist from Wa-based Tungsung Radio, led a campaign of hate speech and media incitement against the LGBTQI+ community
He named individuals publicly and launched personal attacks, targeting their identities and livelihoods
One of the victims, a known human rights defender, has seen their business suffer from false allegations and defamation

This has severely disrupted community outreach and direct services by local defenders.

Events in Tamale, Ghana

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Two human rights defenders are homeless after helping two queer survivors of a homophobic attack
Their support led to the arrest of blackmailers who were using social media to lure and attack LGBTQI+ persons
In retaliation, a defender was tracked, beaten by a gang, and dragged to Kpalsi Palace, where he was fined 3,000 Ghanaian cedis [about U.S. $290] and a sheep. The palace seized his two mobile phones until he paid the fine.
He was then evicted by his landlord and banished from the Kpalsi township by the Chief.
The second defender received a printed photo of himself with a written death threat warning him to stop defending “gays and lesbians” or face fatal consequence. He found the anonymous threat in front of his door and had to flee.

These defenders now lack the capacity to respond to new cases of violence and abuse due to their personal safety risks.

Rightify Ghana urges a strong response:

We must:

Amplify their stories
Call for accountability from media houses, traditional leaders, and the state
Support relocation, legal aid, and trauma care

You can help by sharing this. Don’t let their voices be silenced. Contact us if you want to assist the affected human rights defenders and their organisations.