“My first video was banned from TV in Ghana because it represented the transgender community” — Amaarae

Ghanaian singer and global music sensation Amaarae has shared that her very first music video was banned from television in Ghana because it included representation of the transgender community — a move that highlighted the challenges queer artists continue to face in conservative cultural spaces. In a conversation with Tinashe for Rolling Stone’s “Musicians onContinue reading ““My first video was banned from TV in Ghana because it represented the transgender community” — Amaarae”

“We Take Loans from Countries That Protect LGBTQ+ Rights—Yet Jail Our Own” – JoyNews TV Journalist Challenges Fellow Ghanaians To Rethink Morality, Justice, and Democracy

In a powerful and emotionally charged edition of Fellow Ghanaians aired on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Joy FM and Joy Prime TV journalist Kwaku Asante delivered one of the most striking critiques yet of Ghana’s Parliament and society over the reintroduction of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQContinue reading ““We Take Loans from Countries That Protect LGBTQ+ Rights—Yet Jail Our Own” – JoyNews TV Journalist Challenges Fellow Ghanaians To Rethink Morality, Justice, and Democracy”

“We Thought the Bill Had Been Passed” — Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga Revives Expired Anti-LGBTQ Bill After New Version Disappears from Order Paper

The Majority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, has revealed that the government initially believed the controversial Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill—popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill—had already been passed by the previous Parliament and sent to the Presidency for assent. He made the remark during Wednesday’s sitting, October 22, 2025, following confusionContinue reading ““We Thought the Bill Had Been Passed” — Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga Revives Expired Anti-LGBTQ Bill After New Version Disappears from Order Paper”

“You Will Want It, Paa” — Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin Jabs NDC Over Anti-LGBTQ Bill as Debate Erupts in Parliament

The Minority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has launched a sharp criticism against the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) over what he described as hypocrisy and inconsistency in its handling of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the anti-LGBTQ bill. His comments came during a heated parliamentary debate onContinue reading ““You Will Want It, Paa” — Minority Leader Afenyo-Markin Jabs NDC Over Anti-LGBTQ Bill as Debate Erupts in Parliament”

Anti-LGBTQ Bill Returns to Parliament for First Reading — List of Sponsors Revealed

Parliament of Ghana has officially programmed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 — popularly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ bill — for its First Reading today, Tuesday, October 21, 2025, as the House reconvenes from recess. The bill, which has been reintroduced by ten Members of Parliament from both the opposition NewContinue reading “Anti-LGBTQ Bill Returns to Parliament for First Reading — List of Sponsors Revealed”

Anti-LGBTQ Campaigns in Ghana Are ‘Manufactured Crises’ Fueled by ‘New Missionaries, Mostly White,’ Says Academic

Professor Emerita Takyiwaa Manuh, a Senior Fellow at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and one of the country’s most respected academics and human rights advocates, has described Ghana’s ongoing anti-LGBTQ campaigns as “manufactured crises” and “moral panic” fueled by foreign influence and orchestrated alliances between U.S.-based and local groups. In an interview airedContinue reading “Anti-LGBTQ Campaigns in Ghana Are ‘Manufactured Crises’ Fueled by ‘New Missionaries, Mostly White,’ Says Academic”

Angel Maxine Releases “Coward”: A Bold Visual Protest Against Homophobia and Hypocrisy in Ghana

Ghanaian transgender musician and human rights activist Angel Maxine has released a striking new protest song and short film titled “Coward” — a fearless artistic statement that exposes the hidden violence, blackmail, and hypocrisy endured by queer Ghanaians. The visual opens with a powerful declaration that immediately frames the tone of defiance and truth-telling: “SinceContinue reading “Angel Maxine Releases “Coward”: A Bold Visual Protest Against Homophobia and Hypocrisy in Ghana”

Zongo Leaders in Kumasi Threaten Violence Against Gays and Male Crossdressers at Wedding Ceremonies

Zongo leaders in Nima, Kumasi, banned male crossdressers from dancing at weddings, warned women against inviting them, and ordered DJs to stop music if they see them dancing.

Weaponising Homophobia in Ghana’s 2024 Elections: Anti-LGBTQI+ Rhetoric, Disinformation, and the Struggle for Inclusive Democracy – A Report

Executive Summary The 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections in Ghana were marked by an unprecedented surge in anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric, hate speech, and misinformation. Political leaders and campaigns from both major parties – the then ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) – openly leveraged homophobic messaging as an electoral strategy.Continue reading “Weaponising Homophobia in Ghana’s 2024 Elections: Anti-LGBTQI+ Rhetoric, Disinformation, and the Struggle for Inclusive Democracy – A Report”

Supreme Court of Ghana Ruling on Unnatural Carnal Knowledge – July 2024: What the Decision Means for Privacy, Equality, and Sexual Conduct Laws

1. Background The Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) of Ghana criminalises certain sexual acts deemed “unnatural carnal knowledge” under Section 104. The law has three key subsections: “Unnatural carnal knowledge” is defined in Section 104(2) as “sexual intercourse with a person in an unnatural manner or, with an animal.”Judicial interpretation in prior cases hasContinue reading “Supreme Court of Ghana Ruling on Unnatural Carnal Knowledge – July 2024: What the Decision Means for Privacy, Equality, and Sexual Conduct Laws”