Actors Idris Elba and Michaela Coel and supermodel Naomi Campbell joined forces with other influential fashion, film and media names to express solidarity with the LGBTQ “family” in an open letter labeled Monday with #GhanaSupportsEquality .
It comes after the newly opened community center in Accra, called “LGBT + Rights Ghana,” was stormed. The head of the center, Alex Kofi Donkor, told CNN last Thursday that he was concerned about his safety.
Among the 67 signatories to the letter are British editor-in-chief Vogue Edward Enninful, Netflix commercial director Bozoma Saint John, and Virgil Abloh, CEO of Off White and artistic director of Louis Vuitton.
“To our LGBTQIA + family in Ghana: we see and hear you. We are afraid of your strength, your courage and your audacity to be faithful to who you are, even when it is dangerous to do so,” says the letter.
“You are loved, you are important and you deserve a safe place to meet in your shared experience.”
Referring to the raid on the center, celebrities said they had seen events unfold in recent weeks with “deep concern”.
“It is unacceptable for us to feel insecure,” the letter added.
Celebrities, who vowed to be aware of the evolution of the LGBTQ community in Ghana, also vowed to protect them through their shared power and influence.
“Neither the February 24 raid nor any other act of intimidation has the power to break your indomitable spirits. It only encourages us all to act with more urgency and intention,” the letter continued.
They then called on Akufo-Addo, as well as political and cultural leaders, to “engage in a meaningful and intentional dialogue” with the community to “create a path of alliance, protection and support.”
Central LGBTQ raid
A spokeswoman for the Ghana Police Service (GPS) told CNN on Saturday that the opening of the center was at odds with the country’s gay laws and prevailing views on gay activities in Ghana.
“To the extent that Ghanaian law criminalizes certain actions promoted by LGBTQI + and Ghanaian society largely detests them, no one expects any individual or group to establish such an office or center,” said Superintendent Sheilla Abayie-Buckman. director of GPS for Public Affairs said.
Abayie-Buckman said security forces stormed the leased nonprofit center following a complaint from the owner, who feared his building “was threatened with being burned for alleged illegal purposes.”
“Our research showed that it was used for the LGBTQ business or in connection with it. With no one in the house, it was closed for occupants to submit a report to the police to answer questions,” he added.
Abayie-Buckman told CNN that no arrests have been made in connection with police findings.
“No one has owned it yet. The site is under police surveillance,” he said.
In response to whether the occupants of the LGBTQ center will be arrested if they stand for questioning, the police spokeswoman said, “It depends on what the investigation would have established.”
In a statement sent to CNN on Monday, the LGBT + Rights Ghana group said: “We are citizens of Ghana who comply with the law and have not committed any illegality. Therefore, once our security is guaranteed, we are willing to respect the invitation of the police to interrogate her. “
The group said the center was set up to support the vulnerable LGBTQ community in Ghana, which has endured years of discrimination and persecution.
“On January 31, we opened a safe space to support LGBTQI + people in Ghana who are abused, discriminated against or neglected by their families,” the statement said. “Shortly afterwards, we received threats and attacks from various quarters.”
“Traditional leaders in Kwabenya, the area where our office is located, threatened to burn down the office,” he added.
The group said none of the people who made these threats were arrested by police.
“Instead, on February 24, police officers, a representative of our owner, traditional leaders and a few other people entered our office without our consent. Feeling an imminent danger, Alex Kofi Donkor, the our executive director, left the facilities for a safe home “.