The Center for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria has called on the Attorney General to withdraw the charges levelled against alleged LGBTIQ+ who were arrested in Ho in the Volta Region.

In a press release, the group stated that the charges against the individuals are unknown to the country's law.

According to the group, the persons are human rights defenders attending paralegal training in the Region.

“The actions of the Ghanaian authorities deny LGBTIQ+ people and their defenders their human rights as guaranteed in the Constitution of Ghana, and also contravene the international human rights treaties that Ghana has ratified guaranteeing the rights to assembly and association.”

This comes after some 21 persons believed to be members of the LGBTQ group were remanded into police custody last.

The group comprising 16 males and 5 females was remanded by the Ho Circuit Court for unlawful assembly and having in its possession books and flyers titled; “Hate Crime, The LGBTQ+ Muslim, Gender Acronyms, Coming Out Child: My Love Always, All About Trans.”  

The Center for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria has condemned the arrest of the 21 alleged LGBTQ+ members stating that the attitude towards LGBTQ+ persons contravenes the international human rights treaties that Ghana has ratified, guaranteeing the rights to assembly and association.

According to the Center, these actions reinforce negative and discriminatory social attitudes against the LGBTIQ+ community in Ghana.

“These attitudes are likely to result in violence and other forms of human rights abuses against Ghanaians on the basis of their real or imputed sexual orientation or gender identity.”

“These arrests follow a pattern of similar attacks against the LGBTIQ+ community in Ghana. For instance, in February 2021, a community centre for sexual and gender minorities had to be shut down after a raid by security forces,” the Center added.

Meanwhile, the Group has entreated President Akufo-Addo to publicly condemn the arrests and violations of the rights.

The group also urged the Inspector General of Police to respect the promise to protect the rights of all persons including LGBTIQ+ persons and call police officials to order.

“The Centre for Human Rights calls on the international community to urge the government of Ghana to respect its treaty obligations and pledge to respect the rights of all persons regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”