Ghana cancelled its first-ever conference bringing LGBT+ leaders together under the same roof following a bitter cry out from Christian Group protest. The conference that was supposed to hold in July would have also been the first in the whole of West Africa.
The government in Ghana announced that major conference won’t be held again following the outcry and disapproval of Conservative Christian Groups in the country. The cancelled conference was for LGBT+ leaders to discuss ideas and ways to change and avert the discriminatory laws against LGTB +.
The anti-gay group had protested against the government giving Visas to the organizers of the conference. There was also an online petition with almost 19,000 signatures in 7 days protesting against the conference.
According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), Ghana made the list of the 34 countries that see same-sex relationships as illegal.
Although the spokesperson of Pan-Africa ILGA, the South Africa-based association organizing the conference failed to comment and confirm the cancellation of the gathering, the spokesperson of the Nana Akufo-Addo the president of Ghana confirmed the news.
The advocates of Christ Ghana wrote a letter to Nana Akufo-Addo “The current laws of Ghana … criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activities between adults, therefore it is clearly illegal for ILGA to hold a conference here in Ghana representing a group that promotes these activities,” the letter stated.
This is not such a bright situation for LGTB+ as human rights researchers revealed that although Ghana hasn’t persecuted them in years, they would, however, be subjected to discrimination, blackmail, and abuse.
The government’s decision to cancel the conference stirred an uproar and anger amongst the Ghana LGTB+. This to them is trampling upon the right of their community.
In 2019, Ghana had hosted a conference organized by the World Congress of Families, a U.S.-based Christian organization to promote and pilot an anti-gay agenda.
According to Ghana LGTB+ activists Davis Mac-Iyalla, it is unfair for the conservatives to hold monopoly to organize but can block others with different views