The letter has been signed by high-profile figures, including Idris Elba, Clara Amfo and British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful.
Over 60 cultural figures have signed a new open letter in support of Ghana’s LGBTQ+ community. The likes of Michaela Coel, Moses Sumney, Idris Elba and more have signed the letter, which was penned in response to a police raid on an Accra-based community centre on Wednesday (24 February). The centre, named LGBT+ Rights Ghana, first opened its doors in January. In the months since, it’s faced pressure from local religious groups and government ministers, who have previously called for the shuttering of the space. It’s since been forced to close.
In the new letter published on Monday (1 March), influential figures from media, music, fashion and art came together to urge Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo and other political figures to reach out to LGBTQ+ leaders in order to “create a pathway for allyship, protection and support.” The letter’s signatories, who describe themselves as “fellow Ghanians, Africans, and diasporans”, also include Clara Amfo, Naomi Campbell, Virgil Abloh and Vic Mensa. The letter is supported by the hashtag #GhanaSupportsEquality.
We have signed a letter calling on His Excellency, The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, to reach out to LGBTQ leaders “to create a pathway for allyship, protection and support.”
Our LGBTQ siblings deserve to live free from violence.#GhanaSupportsEquality pic.twitter.com/ligMmYpC99
— UK BLACK PRIDE (@ukblackpride) March 1, 2021
“We have watched with profound concern as you have had to question the safety of your vital work at the LGBT+ Rights Ghana Centre in Accra, and feared for your personal wellbeing and security. It is unacceptable to us that you feel unsafe,” the letter reads.
“As prominent and powerful advocates for this great country, we are beseeching His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and political/cultural leaders to create a pathway for allyship, protection and support. We petition for inclusivity which will make the nation even greater and even stronger.”
Following the raid last week, Akufo-Addo gave a speech in a local church and said this on same-sex marriage: “Let me repeat: It will never happen in my time as president.”
“I have said it before, and let me stress it again, that it will not be under the Presidency of Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo that same-sex marriage will be legal,” – Ghana’s President @NAkufoAddo said yesterday
The #LGBTQ community is not asking for marriage! #RepealSection104✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/R7dVZO9My6
— African Equality Centre (@aec_gh) February 28, 2021