The family of a young man, at Madina in Accra, are baying for his blood, following a revelation that he is bisexual.
Prince Adam Yunus had lived secretly as a bisexual, away from public scrutiny. He had a wife, Josephine Assiam, while at the same time engaging in same-sex relationships.
A witness told this reporter on condition of anonymity that Prince Adam Yunus confessed his real sexual orientation to his wife one day, which incident became the source of his plight afterwards.
The wife, Josephine Assiam, walked out of the marriage after informing her family and that of her husband about Adam Yunus’ sexual orientation, it was gathered.
The witness said the family of Adam Yunus then called a meeting on the matter, following which a manhunt began for the young man, who is believed to be in hiding.
It was gathered that Adam’s family has declared a ‘fatwa’ on him, to the effect that every member of the family can harm or even kill him, in order to placate the Muslim community in which they live.
“I don’t know why this issue should be a matter of concern to you. He has brought shame on our family, and we reserve the right to take a decision on the matter. Whether we kill him or not, that is none of your business,” Ali Banza, a man believed to be a member of the family said angrily, when this reporter tried to verify whether or not they had threatened to kill Adam Yunus.
Ali Banza even went further to threaten this reporter thus: “If you like go and write rubbish, and you will also face our wrath.”
Same-sex relationships are outlawed in Ghana, but Zongo or Muslim communities in the country go a step further to ensure that gay, lesbian and bisexual issues are dealt with in a brutal manner. In such communities, gay-bashers are hailed as heroes.
What is baffling is the fact that the police look the other way in the face of homophobic attacks, perhaps, due to the fact that unnatural carnal knowledge is unlawful, and indeed a sensitive issue.
Whether or not gays, lesbians and bisexuals will attain any rights in the future, only time will tell.