Ghana’s most dangerous areas for anti-gay attacks and extortion
LGBTQ+ advocates list hotspots where blackmailers and organised groups target gay men.
Homophobic extortion and blackmail of LGBTQ+ Africans is a widespread problem which the LGBTQ+ rights group Rightify Ghana is working to minimize.
This week they published a list of the most dangerous areas in Ghana for anti-gay attacks, robberies and extortion.
Rightify Ghana called those areas “hotspots for blackmailers and organised groups targeting gay men”. The group added about the criminals:
These individuals often lure victims—particularly through popular platforms such as Grindr, HeeSay (formerly Blued), TikTok, Facebook, Tinder, Adam4Adam, Planet Romeo, Jodel, Tondo, and various gay WhatsApp and Telegram groups—to locations where they are robbed, assaulted, stripped naked and videotaped, and otherwise harmed. Sometimes, their families and friends are also called by the perpetrators to demand ransoms whilst threatening to harm – including threat of death – if money is not paid for the release of the victims or survivors.
It’s a problem in many homophobic nations, as shown in these previous articles in Erasing 76 Crimes:
Nigeria’s anti-gay law boosts anti-LGBT extortion, violence
Anti-gay extortionists have free rein in Cameroon
Bangladesh human rights defenders demand action against anti-gay violence and extortion
Qtalk: Gay hookup threatened to become a death trap
10 queer Kenyans caught in Grindr blackmail scheme fight back in court
Violence against LGBTQ Ugandans surges after Anti-Homosexuality Act
And many more.
This is Rightify Ghana’s list of danger zones, listed by region:
Blackmailer Alert: Dangerous Areas in Ghana Where LGBTQ+ People Face Robbery, Assault, and Other Harm
Known High-Risk Locations
Ashanti Region (Kumasi)
- Barekese Road (including Bohyen, Abrepo, Amanfrom, Ohwim, Asuofia, Atafoa)
- Kotwi
- Ahenema Kokoben
- Kwadaso Agric, Kromoase, Ohwimase
- Kronom – Buoho Road
- Pankrono – Adabraka
Greater Accra Region (Accra)
- Christian Village & Surroundings (Kisseman, Haatso, West Land/West Legon)
- Lapaz (Racecourse, Nyamekye, Abrantie Spot)
- Achimota (Achimota Forest, Cargo Station, Abofu, Alogboshie)
- Dome (Paraku Estate, Grusi Town, Railways)
- Spintex (EcoBank area)
- Ablekuma (NIC, New Market)
- Nima (Mamoobi, Malata/Mallam Atta)
- Teshie – Nungua (Barrier, nearby beaches, Bush Road)
- Kaawo Kudi
- Pokuase
- Parts of Tema
- Dansoman (Sukura, Glefe)
- Kwabenya (Puma Filling Station area)
- Madina (Zongo Junction, Daddy Rich, Libya Quarters)
- Dodowa (specific areas to be updated)
Western Region
Takoradi: Top 10, Effiakuma Zongo (VIP), Zenith Area, Anaji Racecourse
Tarkwa: Brahabobome, Tarkwa, Akyempim, Tarkwa New Site
Also: Prestea, Huni-Valley, Aboso, Agona Nkwanta
Western North Region
- Sefwi Wiawso
- Sefwi Asawinso
- Bibiani (especially Zongo)
Central Region
- Kasoa (Coca-Cola Junction) and surroundings (Liberia Camp/Budumburam)
- Abura
- Komenda (Cape Coast – Takoradi Road)
- Anomabo (Cape Coast – Accra Road)
Eastern Region (Koforidua)
- Asokore
- Zongo
- Densuano
- Betom
- Srodai
- Accra Station
- Asamankese (Government Hospital and Estate areas)
Volta Region
Ho: Kpakome, Anlokordzi (Taxi Rank), Gaza, Dome Atigadome, Sokode
Aflao: Border Beach, Netsime, Beat 9, Akligo Park, Makavo, Metro Beach
Abor: Around Torgbui Dordzeavudzi Palace
Juapong: Methodist Park
Ahafo Region
- Mim (Club House, Ayum, Methodist School Park)
- Goaso (Roman Catholic area)
Bono East Region
- Techiman (locations to be updated)
- Nkoranza
Bono Region
- Sunyani (Odumase/Airport Road, Area 2, Berlin Top, New Format, Sunyani Zongo, New Town, Estate)
- Wenchi (Banda area, etc.)
Northern Region (Tamale)
- Lamashegu
- Kanvili
- Aboabo
- Gurugu
- Vittin Barrier
- Changli
- Choggu Roundabout
- Nyohini
Upper West Region (Wa)
- Kpaguri
- Nima
- Chief’s Palace
- Zongo
Upper East Region (Bolgatanga)
- Zongo
- MTN Office Area
- Soe
- Zalerigu (Talensi-Nabdam District)
Important Notes
- Not everyone in these areas is involved in blackmail or violence.
- These are identified hotspots, but danger can exist in other places as well.
- Exercise caution, especially when meeting new contacts from online platforms.
