The office of the Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender, Queer Intersex (LGBTQI+) rights was yesterday raided by operatives of the National Security alongside the police, and subsequently closed the facility down.
The facility located at Ashongman in the Ga East Municipality in Accra was closed down after the landlord reported the group to the security agencies for breaching the tenancy agreement of the five-bedroom facility.
According to one Dr. Asenso Gyambibi, believed to be the landlord, a man he named as Alex Kofi Donkor rented the place to operate as a health non-governmental organization (NGO) but ended up setting up an LGBT+ office.
The Kwabenya Traditional Council in the municipality at some point threatened to burn down the LGBT rented facility where they were to have their meetings.
The Kwabenya Musuku Manhene, Nii Mensah Dza Nyomo I, said the traditional authority would not hesitate to set the premises ablaze if they found out the place was being used to promote LGBT rights.
“We won’t sit down for Kwabenya to gain a bad name that the LGBT meeting grounds or office is located in Kwabenya – Ashongman. No way!” the chief stated.
The LGBT+ Rights Ghana confirmed the raid on social media when they wrote on their Instagram page that “this morning, our office was raided by National Security,” adding, “A few days ago traditional leaders threatened to burn down our office but the police did not help.
“Like this moment, we no longer have access to our safe space and our safety is being threatened, we call on all human right organizations and allies to speak out against this attack.”
The group made another post on Facebook, saying, “While this unfortunate incident has happened, we wish to encourage all our members, and queer Ghanaians to stay calm. Do not panic. We will triumph. The police may have raided our office, and closed it down but the real office is in our hearts and minds.”
By Melvin Tarlue & Prince Fiifi Yorke