Middle-Aged Woman Nearly Lynched by Community Youth in Kuntanase Over Alleged Lesbianism
Woman Fears for Her Life After Alleged Attack Over Same-Sex Relationship
- Woman allegedly attacked over lesbianism
- Phones and belongings seized during assault
- Victim fears for her safety
Kuntanase, Ashanti Region — October 8, 2023
By Mensah A. Kwaku
Tensions ran high in the Kuntanase community near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region when a middle-aged woman, Hagar Broni, was allegedly assaulted by a group of youth over claims that she was involved in a lesbian relationship.
According to reports from the community, the youth’s concerns were triggered by information provided by the caretaker of an apartment where Broni resides. The caretaker allegedly accused Broni of being a lesbian, prompting the youth to issue repeated warnings against such behaviour, which they strongly opposed.
“We warned her several times that we don’t accept such people here. How can she sleep with her fellow female and even make noise for her landlord to hear? She is lucky we didn’t do more,” a community member stated.
The situation escalated when the youth physically attacked Broni, who later recounted her experience to our reporter. She disclosed that she had been in a same-sex relationship for more than a year and had been living peacefully with her partner until the incident.
Broni expressed fears for her safety, saying, “I feel threatened going back to my apartment. I don’t know who wants to hurt me or do anything to me. I will keep disguising myself from the public.”
She also disclosed that her phones and other personal belongings were seized during the attack.
Adding to her distress, Broni said her partner had also fled the community to escape possible violence and that she had been unable to contact her since.
She further explained that her attempts to seek police protection were unsuccessful, claiming that officers told her they could not guarantee her safety.
The incident highlights tensions surrounding same-sex relationships in Ghana, where cultural, religious and traditional values have historically influenced public attitudes towards LGBTQ+ issues.
At the time, Ghana’s Parliament was considering the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, popularly referred to as the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, which sought to introduce criminal penalties for certain LGBTQ+-related activities.
Despite legislative efforts and public debate over the issue, incidents of violence against people suspected of being gay or lesbian have continued to raise concerns about community vigilantism, personal safety and human rights in Ghana.
