A 34-year-old Ghanaian man, Ibrahim Issah, is in hiding after surviving a brutal attack in Danfa, a suburb of Madina La-Nkwantanang in the Greater Accra Region. The assault, which took place on Saturday, August 5, 2023, was allegedly due to his sexual orientation.
Ibrahim, born and raised in the predominantly Muslim community of Madina Zongo, spent most of his life concealing his identity for fear of backlash from his family and society.
Ibrahim’s life, like that of his former schoolmate Stephen Banga, was shaped by the strict cultural and religious norms of their communities, where discussions about sexuality outside traditional expectations were forbidden. Both men attended Komfo Anokye Senior High School in Kumasi, where they secretly formed a relationship during their teenage years. Due to the intense stigma surrounding homosexuality, they hid their relationship from both their families and the school.
Eyewitnesses claim that Mr. James, an engineer, was frequently seen dropping off Ibrahim. Mr. James, known for engaging in LGBTQ+ activities, had allegedly been caught several times. Rumors suggest that Mr. James and Ibrahim shared a secret sexual relationship, and it is believed that Mr. James helped Ibrahim secure a job with the Ghana National Fire Service in 2012.
However, there were strong suspicions that the two men were intimately involved, with accusations surfacing as early as 2018 when they were reportedly caught in a parked car in East Legon by a group of men who viciously attacked them. Although they managed to escape with minor injuries, one of the attackers recognized Ibrahim and informed his family.
Fearing for Ibrahim’s life, the family attempted to shield him, hoping to keep the truth from the community. This incident is believed to have contributed to his wife leaving him and led to a confrontation with local religious leaders who demanded that he cease all LGBTQ+ activities.
Despite these efforts, Ibrahim continued to struggle with his identity. Earlier this year, he reconnected with Stephen, and the two reignited their secret relationship.
However, this time, their activities did not go unnoticed. The youth in their community, suspecting that Ibrahim had not changed his ways, kept a close watch on him. Their suspicions were confirmed when they caught Ibrahim and Stephen together, leading to another violent confrontation.
While Ibrahim managed to flee due to his familiarity with the surroundings, Stephen was severely beaten and left with critical injuries. Some reports suggest that Stephen might have succumbed to his injuries, while others claim that he is hospitalized with internal bleeding.
The specifics of his medical condition remain unclear.
Fearing for his life, Ibrahim has gone into hiding, with his location currently unknown. Those close to him believe he has left the region entirely, while the youth in his community actively search for him. There is growing concern that they intend to use him as an example to deter others from deviating from traditional norms.
The situation highlights the severe stigma and violence faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Ghana, where a proposed bill aiming to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities is currently under debate.
As Ibrahim’s whereabouts remain undisclosed, his friends and family are grappling with the consequences of living in a society that continues to marginalize and endanger its LGBTQ+ population.
With the situation worsening for LGBTQ+ individuals in Ghana, Ibrahim and Stephen’s story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those forced to live in fear of persecution due to their identity.
This reporter will continue to follow Ibrahim and Stephen’s story as more details emerge, but for now, Ibrahim’s safety remains the priority.
