A young Ghanaian by name Kinto was setup and beaten to near-death during the week by some area gang because he was alleged to be GAY. The controversy over gay rights brewing in rock from the time it began once again generated debates on social media over concerns regarding treatment directed at such people.
As of 1 January 2015, seventeen countries (Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Luxemburg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom, and Uruguay) and certain sub-national jurisdiction (parts of Mexico and most states in the United States of America) allow gay rights and same-sex marriage.
In Africa, our cultural and religious value systems are against gay rights and the many African leaders believe they have the sovereign rights to reject what they see as an imposition by mainly western nations, which attempt to affect national sentiments. Only South Africa practice gay rights. Their constitution has the most liberal attitudes and guarantees same-sex marriage.
In Ghana, same-sex sexual activity among males is illegal under the criminal law. It is however uncertain whether such practice among females is illegal.
According to Section 296 of the Criminal Procedure Code, such misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment for not more than three years. In 2013, the United States offered to help Ghana develop legalization to protect gay rights as a form of humanity but Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama who has more been diplomatic when it comes to making public statement about homosexuality than his predecessor John Atta Mills support keepinghomosexuality a crime.
There have been reported cases of ill-treatment or torture as a lesson and an attempt to prevent perceived homosexuals. Meanwhile, Ghana has a law which prevents discrimination against fundamental human right and freedom of an individual.
Section 12(2) of chapter 5 of the constitution of Ghana provides that, “every person in Ghana, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinion, color, religion, creed or gender shall be entitled to the fundamental human rights and freedom of the individual but subjects to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest. “
So the question is, if the constitution provides protection and prevents discrimination, why then do people take laws in their hands to torture equal human beings and disregard their human rights.
These persons feel a kind of righteous justification for, acting violently on God’s behalf against homosexuals as legitimate subject to be punished by terminal violence because such activity offends their culture and morality.
The recent treatment to the young man who nearly faced death must be a wake-up call for the authority to protect the human rights of citizens in the country.
Finally, Ghbase.com takes a look at five Ghanaian celebrities who were/are rumored to be gay.
[tie_slideshow]
[tie_slide]BENNY BLANCO|: 
He has a lot of females going crazy and is undoubtedly one of the most sought after bachelors in the country. The failed attempts by some female admirers to sleep with him have labeled him GAY.[/tie_slide]
[tie_slide]TORNADO|:
The Afia Schwarzenegger star has got a million piercings, walk like a girl, talk like a girl and even exhibit the GAY attitude in his shows. He has denied all GAY allegations though but even a toddler won’t believe him.[/tie_slide]
[tie_slide]IGNATIUS ANNOR|
He’s a news anchor on Metro TV and close associates claims he tried on several failed attempt to lure them into bed. He was recently in the news for giving another male a blow job. [/tie_slide]
[tie_slide]KOBI RANA|: 
He has been in the news severally over this assertion but we don’t know any truth about this like the others. Guys who have had an encounter with him say, he tries to flirt with them even though they don’t know his actual intentions.[/tie_slide]
[tie_slide]KESSE:
Even though he has denied the allegations, rumor has it that he’s bisexual. He has interest in both male and female sexually but it still remains a rumor.[/tie_slide]
[/tie_slideshow]