1178:
261:, have stated that they will not flee or leave Ghana and that they will continue for rights recognitions. Donkor stated that authorities had further limited their activities to only "health related" programs. Donkor also said that whilst mixed, the reaction of Ghanaians to the LGBT+ were not openly against them. Donkor also thanked singer
364:
strongly condemned the "arbitrary detention" of the activists and asked for their release through their departments of discriminations against LGBT+ people and arbitrary detentions. In its words of condemnation for the alleged arbitrary detainment and petition to respect the rights of LGBT+ people,
351:
On June 14 2022, 4 out of the 21 activists previously detained for "unlawful assembly" filed a lawsuit against the
Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of Ghana for their unlawful arrest and detention. The activists were backed by Queer Ghana Education Fund (QuGEF) and the Coalition
328:
They were first set to appear in court on 4 June 2021, where the charges against them were read and delayed their bail application for a few days. The activists' lawyers pointed that promoting LGBT rights is not a crime in Ghana. On 8 June 2021, the Ho City Court denied bail to all 21 activists and
324:
The Ho City Police
Department released a statement saying that the activists arrested "were advocating for LGBTQI activities" and further stated that "The command is cautioning the public, particularly parents, to be wary of activities of persons involved in this misbehavior and report them to the
272:
said that they would push along with other lawmakers to criminalize the promotion of LGBTQ+ rights. George wrote on social media that it was owed to the
Ghanaian people to uphold "that which gives us identity as people" and asked for help to fight the "scourge and perversion that homosexuality
309:
and promoting LGBTQ+ agenda. This was seen as the latest crackdown on LGBT individuals in the country and the arrests were widely condemned as there are no legal parameters to forbid the assembly to discuss improvement of living LGBT+ people, according to organization
376:
also condemned the arrests and called on the government of Ghana to "uphold constitutional human rights protections" and called on all
Ghanaians to respect the provisions under Ghana’s constitution that guarantee freedom of speech, expression, and peaceful assembly.
129:
against the
Ghanaian LGBT+ community. In the most recent court hearing, on 11 June 2021, the activists were granted bail on their fourth application. The case was dropped on 5 August 2021 on the basis of lack of evidence on the charge of unlawful assembly.
395:
among other donors of aid to Ghana, asked the authorities to respect the rights of the activists and also called for their immediate release. The donors further stated that they were "closely monitoring (and) watching the developing situation".
329:
ordered the next hearing on the case for 16 June. One of the activists' lawyers, Julia Selman Ayetey, did not elaborate on why they were denied bail by the Ho City High Court and anticipated that they had already filed for the
Circuit Court.
273:
presents". In response, LGBT+ Rights Ghana urged
President Akufo-Addo to guarantee peace and safety for gay people in Ghana and that it was not within the organization's goals to legalize same-sex civil unions.
289:
of Ghana. Meeting at a hotel for nurses and midwives, the group had met to share information on documenting LGBT+ rights violations in Ghana and had brought a number of flyers with them, including ones on
339:
On 16 June 2021, Circuit Court Judge Felix
Datsomor granted the state prosecutor a postponement for further advice and instruction due to the case being stranded at the attorney general's jurisdiction.
1014:
238:(NDC) asked him to clarify his stance, one of his office spokesmen said that the President would not be willing to legalize gay sex in Ghana and that there would be no changes to existing laws.
556:
1073:
811:
587:
747:
1038:
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871:
1100:
933:
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for releasing a song in support of the gay
Ghanaian community and he said that it is "heartwarming to see all this support" coming from the international community.
618:
1042:
778:
429:
903:
1243:
649:
714:
343:
On 5 August 2021, a court dropped the case for lack of evidence on the charges of unlawful assembly and cleared the 21 activists of further prosecution.
384:
and aid donors to Ghana also asked the country for the immediate release of the activists and to respect their human rights and right of free assembly.
546:
1065:
125:. The arrests sparked international condemnation and the rise of a movement under the banner #ReleaseThe21 calling for their release and an end to
801:
683:
493:
403:
urged the general prosecutor of Ghana to drop the charges against the 21 activists, saying that the case is a "stain on Ghana's reputation".
212:
agenda trying to spread US or
European values in the country, which has led to high levels of discrimination against LGBT+ people, including
579:
1131:
841:
737:
958:
863:
1015:"Redress for discrimination against and the unlawful arrest and detention of LGBTI activists and community members in Ghana - ISLA"
523:
988:
321:
in the country but the petition by an LGBT organization before the Ho City Circuit Court to immediately release them was refused.
245:
LGBT center had to close, many Black celebrities showed sympathy to the Ghanaian gay community; among them actors Idris Elba and
1096:
151:, and in Ghana, it has been criminalized since the 1860s. Although LGBT organizations exist, they are only allowed to discuss
925:
235:
610:
1034:
770:
1203:
421:
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893:
1228:
1213:
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641:
373:
314:, which also accused, along with an academic, of depriving the activists arrested, access to legal counseling.
162:
In February 2021, a community center for the LGBT community had to close its doors amidst mounting pressure by
706:
1238:
422:"Ghanaian LGBT+ activists 'arbitrarily' arrested and held for three weeks finally granted release on bail"
281:
On 20 May 2021, a group of LGBT+ rights advocates (16 women and five men) held a meeting in the city of
1168:
1035:"Ghana: UN rights experts condemn arbitrary arrest of LGBT human rights defenders, urge their release"
675:
485:
231:
79:
False accusation of a gathering by some Ghanaian youth to promote LGBTIQ activities in the society.
1208:
253:
also condemned the raid and closure of the center. However, members of the organization such as
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118:
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122:
8:
366:
258:
202:
515:
400:
250:
224:
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171:
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771:"Gay activists in Ghana demand release of 21 people arrested at LGBTQI conference"
611:"Black celebrities show support for LGBTQ community in Ghana after raid on center"
392:
227:
187:
184:
1066:"US State Department calls for Ghana national leaders to support LGBTQ+ rights"
806:
381:
361:
311:
194:
191:
126:
1192:
1156:
246:
209:
180:
144:
738:"Outcry after 21 people arrested in Ghana for 'advocating LGBTQ activities'"
1182:
742:
551:
286:
152:
707:"21 people arrested in Ghana for attending LGBT+ rights training session"
302:
295:
198:
104:
547:"Idris Elba and Naomi Campbell sign letter backing gay rights in Ghana"
388:
291:
268:
Following these statements made by Donkor, a group of MPs led by NDC's
262:
175:
282:
217:
213:
114:
1160:
167:
834:"Ghana court delays bail decision for 21 detained LGBT+ activists"
580:"Ghana president says he will never oversee same-sex legalization"
959:"Rights group wants Ghana to drop charges against LGBT activists"
318:
156:
1124:"Major donors urge Ghana to respect LGBT+ rights amid crackdown"
989:"LGBTI Activists in Ghana Sue Over Abusive Arrest and Detention"
802:"Ghana Police Arrest 21 LGBTQ Activists for 'Unlawful Assembly'"
336:
900 bail and their case is expected to resume on a later date.
317:
Soon after the arrests, the hashtag #ReleaseThe21 went viral on
1039:
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
305:
the hotel and arrested them under the anti-homosexuality laws,
205:
to address discrimination and legalize homosexuality in Ghana.
148:
249:
and signed a letter under the hashtag #GhanaSupportsEquality.
346:
242:
108:
676:"Ghana MPs plan law criminalising promotion of LGBT+ rights"
159:, which is punishable with up to three years' imprisonment.
234:
about gay rights in the country and after opposition party
1097:"Ghana court denies bail for 21 arrested LGBTQ+ activists"
516:"Ghana's Hidden History Explored for LGBTQ+ History Month"
332:
On 11 June 2021, the activists were released on an almost
898:
774:
614:
333:
121:, during an assembly where the activists were discussing
894:"Ghana court denies bail for 21 detained LGBT activists"
864:"Ghana court denies bail for 21 detained LGBT activists"
642:"In hiding, Ghana's queer activists keep up the fight"
369:(must) release them immediately and unconditionally."
1166:
123:
human rights treatment of LGBT+ people in the country
1157:
Being gay in Ghana: LGBT community is ‘under attack’
545:Parveen, Nazia; Akinwotu, Emmanuel (1 March 2021).
455:"Ghana court drops case against 21 LGBT+ activists"
352:for SupportGH amongst other LGBTI+ organizations.
1190:
276:
230:, had to clarify statements made to news outlet
926:"Ghana court grants bail to 21 LGBT+ activists"
544:
953:
951:
486:"WHAT'S LIFE LIKE FOR LGBTQ PEOPLE IN GHANA?"
449:
447:
1244:Discrimination against LGBT people in Africa
799:
1094:
1063:
948:
800:Ibukun, Yinka; Dontoh, Ekow (21 May 2021).
669:
667:
578:Alfa Shaban, Abdur Rahman (30 April 2018).
577:
856:
768:
608:
444:
347:State sued for constitutional rights abuse
28:May 21 – June 11, 2021
704:
208:LGBT+ issues are often seen as part of a
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480:
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1191:
1121:
673:
419:
1012:
473:
13:
1150:
736:Akinwotu, Emmanuel (24 May 2021).
14:
1255:
1103:from the original on 11 June 2021
1095:Raza-Sheikh, Zoya (8 June 2021).
1076:from the original on 11 June 2021
1064:Raza-Sheikh, Zoya (21 May 2021).
1045:from the original on 11 June 2021
969:from the original on 29 July 2021
936:from the original on 12 June 2021
906:from the original on 10 June 2021
874:from the original on 11 June 2021
844:from the original on 11 June 2021
814:from the original on 11 June 2021
781:from the original on 11 June 2021
750:from the original on 11 June 2021
717:from the original on 11 June 2021
686:from the original on 11 July 2021
621:from the original on 11 June 2021
609:Princewill, Nimi (2 March 2021).
590:from the original on 11 June 2021
559:from the original on 11 June 2021
526:from the original on 11 June 2021
496:from the original on 11 June 2021
432:from the original on 11 June 2021
301:Shortly after the meeting began,
1176:
1134:from the original on 6 June 2021
769:Princewill, Nimi (25 May 2021).
652:from the original on 12 May 2021
1115:
1088:
1057:
1027:
1006:
981:
918:
886:
826:
793:
762:
729:
705:Wakefield, Lily (22 May 2021).
698:
633:
602:
571:
538:
508:
413:
374:United States State Department
1:
674:Bhaila, Nita (9 March 2021).
640:Collison, Carl (4 May 2021).
420:Milton, Josh (11 June 2021).
406:
277:Arrests and court proceedings
133:
1122:Bhalia, Nita (25 May 2021).
399:After the bail was granted,
365:the UN added and urged "The
355:
236:National Democratic Congress
155:but not promote or practice
147:is illegal in many parts of
7:
10:
1260:
1013:Admin, ISLA (2022-06-17).
137:
16:Event in Ghana in May 2021
1204:May 2021 events in Africa
91:
83:
75:
67:
59:
51:
43:
24:
902:. Reuters. 9 June 2021.
1219:Discrimination in Ghana
220:, and violent attacks.
1229:LGBTQ rights in Africa
1214:Controversies in Ghana
170:organizations against
20:Arrest of 21 Activists
1234:2021 in LGBTQ history
1224:Human rights in Ghana
119:Ho Municipal District
1239:2021 crimes in Ghana
522:. 11 February 2021.
391:and the news agency
285:in the southeastern
140:LGBT rights in Ghana
367:Government of Ghana
203:government of Ghana
21:
993:Human Rights Watch
520:African Activities
401:Human Rights Watch
259:LGBT+ Rights Ghana
251:Human Rights Watch
19:
307:unlawful assembly
294:" and "All about
270:Sam Nartey George
172:sexual minorities
99:
98:
95:Unlawful Assembly
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1000:
985:
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978:
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965:. 18 June 2021.
955:
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932:. 11 June 2021.
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492:. 1 March 2021.
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255:Alex Kofi Donkor
164:religious groups
101:On 20 May 2021,
63:Ho, Volta Region
55:Ho Circuit Court
39:
37:
33:
22:
18:
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1151:Further reading
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1041:. 4 June 2021.
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870:. 8 June 2021.
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857:
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840:. 4 June 2021.
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461:. 5 August 2021
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418:
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393:Thomson Reuters
358:
349:
279:
228:Nana Akufo-Addo
223:In April 2018,
188:Edward Enninful
185:editor-in-chief
142:
136:
35:
31:
29:
17:
12:
11:
5:
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1209:LGBTQ in Ghana
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807:Bloomberg News
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382:European Union
362:United Nations
357:
354:
348:
345:
312:Rightify Ghana
278:
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257:and others of
195:Naomi Campbell
138:Main article:
135:
132:
127:state violence
113:at a hotel in
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1199:2021 in Ghana
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303:police raided
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260:
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252:
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247:Michaela Coel
244:
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181:British Vogue
177:
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158:
154:
150:
146:
145:Homosexuality
141:
131:
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124:
120:
116:
112:
111:were arrested
110:
107:activists in
106:
94:
90:
86:
82:
78:
74:
70:
68:Also known as
66:
62:
58:
54:
50:
46:
42:
27:
23:
1136:. Retrieved
1127:
1117:
1105:. Retrieved
1090:
1078:. Retrieved
1070:Gay Times UK
1069:
1059:
1047:. Retrieved
1029:
1018:. Retrieved
1008:
997:. Retrieved
995:. 2022-06-22
992:
983:
971:. Retrieved
963:Africa Feeds
962:
938:. Retrieved
929:
920:
908:. Retrieved
897:
888:
876:. Retrieved
867:
858:
846:. Retrieved
837:
828:
816:. Retrieved
805:
795:
783:. Retrieved
764:
752:. Retrieved
743:The Guardian
741:
731:
719:. Retrieved
710:
700:
688:. Retrieved
679:
654:. Retrieved
645:
635:
623:. Retrieved
604:
592:. Retrieved
583:
573:
561:. Retrieved
552:The Guardian
550:
540:
528:. Retrieved
519:
510:
498:. Retrieved
489:
463:. Retrieved
458:
434:. Retrieved
425:
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371:
359:
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331:
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287:Volta Region
280:
267:
240:
222:
207:
179:
161:
153:human rights
143:
102:
100:
84:Participants
584:Africa News
490:Means Happy
199:open letter
178:along with
105:LGBT rights
1193:Categories
1020:2022-07-16
999:2022-07-16
407:References
389:World Bank
292:Coming out
263:Boy George
241:After the
232:Al Jazeera
197:signed an
176:Idris Elba
134:Background
36:2021-06-11
32:2021-05-21
711:Pink News
646:New Frame
426:Pink News
356:Reactions
325:police".
225:President
218:extortion
214:blackmail
1161:BBC News
1132:Archived
1101:Archived
1074:Archived
1043:Archived
967:Archived
934:Archived
904:Archived
872:Archived
842:Archived
812:Archived
779:Archived
748:Archived
715:Archived
684:Archived
650:Archived
619:Archived
588:Archived
557:Archived
524:Archived
494:Archived
465:5 August
430:Archived
174:. Actor
168:anti-gay
60:Location
44:Duration
34: –
1163:report.
1138:11 June
1128:Reuters
1107:11 June
1080:11 June
1049:11 June
973:20 June
940:12 June
930:Reuters
910:11 June
878:11 June
868:Reuters
848:11 June
838:Reuters
818:11 June
785:11 June
754:11 June
721:11 June
690:12 June
680:Reuters
656:12 June
625:11 June
594:11 June
563:11 June
530:11 June
500:11 June
459:Reuters
436:12 June
319:Twitter
210:Western
201:to the
157:gay sex
92:Charges
47:21 Days
30: (
1169:Portal
149:Africa
1183:LGBTQ
296:Trans
243:Accra
192:model
109:Ghana
76:Cause
71:HO 21
52:Venue
1140:2021
1109:2021
1082:2021
1051:2021
975:2021
942:2021
912:2021
880:2021
850:2021
820:2021
787:2021
756:2021
723:2021
692:2021
658:2021
627:2021
596:2021
565:2021
532:2021
502:2021
467:2021
438:2021
387:The
380:The
372:The
360:The
190:and
166:and
25:Date
899:CNN
775:CNN
615:CNN
334:USD
298:."
103:21
1195::
1159:–
1130:.
1126:.
1099:.
1072:.
1068:.
1037:.
991:.
961:.
950:^
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896:.
866:.
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804:.
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740:.
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682:.
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666:^
648:.
644:.
617:.
613:.
586:.
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555:.
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518:.
488:.
475:^
457:.
446:^
428:.
424:.
283:Ho
216:,
117:,
115:Ho
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1171::
1142:.
1111:.
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1053:.
1023:.
1002:.
977:.
944:.
914:.
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758:.
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290:"
38:)
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