A group of Ghanaian feminists drawn from Ghana, Africa and the diaspora, have expressed solidarity with the LGBT+ community in the West African country in the wake of recent talks against their activities after their office was launched in the national capital, Accra.

The feminists, in a statement, indicated: “We are Ghanaian feminists writing in solidarity with LGBT+ Rights Ghana and queer and transgender Ghanaians everywhere. We write to show the community that you are not alone.

“Further, we hope this statement can help other Ghanaians who feel supportive know that they do not have to be cowed by the violent rhetoric of the government, the press, and the religious sector”.

The feminists also condemned the backlash meted out to the LGBT+ community.

“The violence directed at the community in the wake of their office launch demonstrates the vitriolic conditions under which queer Ghanaians live and why such a community space is needed. We reject the current onslaught of religious, media, and state violence meted out against queer and transgender people, who are simply asserting their God-given right to exist with dignity and safety”.

The statement continued: “The backlash against LGBT+ Rights Ghana follows a trend of moral panic led by the media, religious groups, and political figures. Whenever queer Ghanaians demand rights, respect, and safety in our own country, these leaders use the guise of morality and concern to push a violent agenda. Their agenda is harmful to queer and trans Ghanaians, and it ultimately seeks to control how all Ghanaians live, regardless of their sexuality. We are already witnessing the toll these attacks take on people’s lives. As a result of the recent media frenzy, many LGBT+ persons are facing increasing threats of violence online, at work and in their homes. Community members have been threatened with evictions, forced marriage and employment termination”.

The statement further noted the group’s mandate to support the marginalised.

“As feminists, we believe that the patriarchal and colonial constructions of gender and sexuality that shape social expectations and norms not only hurt the LGBT+ community but continue to keep other marginalised groups – including poor women, sex workers, people with dreadlocks, amongst others – oppressed and constantly policed. We align our political perspective with a radical vision of freedom and justice for all people in Ghana, which is also enshrined in our Constitution”.

The statement also stressed, “We unapologetically and unreservedly stand in support of LGBT+ people to live with dignity and under safe conditions in Ghana”, while calling on their “allies to do the work of speaking up for queer and trans people as they are subjected to violence by the state, religious institutions and the public”.

National Security operatives raided the newly-opened office space of the group in Accra on Wednesday, 24 February 2021.

The LGBT+ Rights Ghana group in a Facebook post, however, said: “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.”