A young man is fighting for his life at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital after he was attacked by a mob for his alleged involvement in a sexual relationship with another man.
The incident is said to have occurred during a wedding ceremony in Abrepo, a town in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.
The victim, identified as Elvis Okyere, was reportedly accused of being bisexual and engaging in an affair with another man, sparking a violent outburst that left him unconscious.
Eyewitnesses at the wedding describe the harrowing scene, which unfolded in the late afternoon hours of Saturday. Members of the mob were heard loudly accusing Okyere of behaviors they claimed were “destroying the youth” in the Abrepo community.
Known for exhibiting what some described as “feminine gestures” since his teenage years, Okyere had reportedly faced ridicule and suspicion in the past.
According to a senior nurse at the emergency unit at the aforementionedmedicalfacility, who spoke anonymously, Okyere’s injuries are severe. “It is very unfortunate what happened to the young man. Even if those behaviors are not tolerated in the community, no one deserves to be beaten this badly,” she lamented. “Bystanders feared he had lost his life, and it took the intervention of some well-meaning individuals at the ceremony to rush him here, she remarked.”
A Growing Trend of Violence Against LGBT Individuals
The attack on Okyere is part of a worrying trend in Ghana, where stigmatization and violence against LGBT individuals have been on the rise. Just weeks prior, another young man in Obuasi narrowly escaped a similar fate after being threatened with castration by a group of young men. The intervention of the municipal chief executive prevented that incident from escalating.
Human rights advocates blame these attacks on deep-seated traditional and religious beliefs that fuel prejudice and incite mob justice. “These acts are not only criminal but a violation of basic human rights,” said a local activist who called for urgent action from authorities to protect marginalized groups.
Many victims of such attacks either disappear from their communities or face ongoing harassment, making it difficult to assess the full scope of the issue. Calls for tolerance and education have grown louder, but progress remains slow.
Lack of Response from Authorities
Efforts to obtain a comment from the local branch of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) prior to publication were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, the silence from local authorities and law enforcement has drawn criticism from pro-LGBT civil society groups who demand accountability and justice for victims like Okyere.
As Okyere battles for his life, the incident has reignited conversations about how Ghanaian society can address the root causes of such violence. Experts stress the importance of education and awareness campaigns to challenge harmful stereotypes and promote inclusivity.
For now, Okyere’s fate hangs in the balance, and his story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by LGBT individuals in communities where intolerance persists.