Founder of the closed LGBTQI center in Ghana says he is afraid for his safety

Alex Kofi Donkor, head of the center named ‘LGBT + Rights Ghana’ in the country’s capital, Accra, told CNN on Thursday that he is now concerned about his safety after the raid.

“I just contacted our lawyers. There is currently an unsafe situation and I have to go offline,” Donkor told CNN.

The community center – which was opened on January 31 at a ceremony attended by a delegation from the European Union and other foreign embassies – faced opposition from the outset, sparking anger among the locals calling for its closure.

Ghana bans gay relationships and intolerance and violence against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people is still widespread among the people of Ghana, Human Rights Watch said.
According to the criminal code, having a gay relationship in the Ghanaian LGBT can lead to between three and 25 years in prison.

A Ghanaian police spokesman declined to comment on the closure of the non-profit center, described as a movement “standing up for the fight for freedom for LGBT + people in Ghana.”

Although short-lived, the center would remain in “hearts and minds,” Donkor posted on his social media page.

“We expected this,” he posted. ‘We will be victorious. The police may have raided our office and closed it, but the real office is in our hearts and minds. ”

According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), the country is one of more than 30 countries in Africa where same-sex relationships are against the law.
Progress for gay rights in Africa is still not inevitable
Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection Sarah Adwoa Sarfo said in a video during her hearing on February 17 that Ghana’s laws against same-sex relationships are not up for discussion if her position on social protection is not – heterosexual people.

“The issue of LGBT is one that, when mentioned, creates some controversy, but what I am saying is that our laws are clear about such practices. It makes it criminal … to have unnatural carnal knowledge with another person.” Sarfo said in the video.

“On the issue of crime of it is non-negotiable, on the issue of cultural acceptance and norms, these practices are also frowned upon. To me, these are two clear clarifications on the issue and this is what I stand for,” she added. to.

Earlier this month, President Joe Biden instructed the United States’ foreign departments and agencies to “promote and protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people everywhere.”

Botswana scraps gay sex laws in major victory for LGBTQ rights in Africa
President Biden tried to decriminalize LGBTQI + status abroad in a Feb. 4 memo threatening widespread sanctions against countries where gay rights are being suppressed.

When foreign governments take steps to limit the rights of LGBTQI + individuals or fail to enforce legal protections, contributing to a climate of intolerance, foreign-based agencies will consider appropriate responses, including By using all diplomatic and aid tools appropriate, financial sanctions, visa restrictions and other measures, ”the presidential memo said.

Ghana responded, however, by replying that the country’s laws are the very highest and that laws criminalizing homosexual sexual activity remain in place.

Source