A private gathering in Achimota, Accra, has been disrupted by the police following intelligence that the event was allegedly being organised to celebrate a same-sex union, resulting in the arrest of several persons.
The operation, which took place on Saturday night, reportedly involved a joint team of police officers who entered the premises while the gathering was underway.
Related Stories
Eyewitnesses said the arrival of the security personnel triggered panic among those attending the event, with some participants reportedly arrested while others fled through adjoining compounds and nearby streets.
Police sources said the operation formed part of efforts to enforce Ghana’s laws relating to same-sex sexual activity and to prevent gatherings allegedly organised for purposes contrary to existing legislation.
A police spokesperson said authorities acted on what they described as credible intelligence concerning the nature of the event.
“We received credible information about the nature of the gathering and acted accordingly,” the spokesperson said, adding that investigations were ongoing.
The police have also declared Kwaku Tete Dadde wanted in connection with the organisation of the gathering.
According to the police, Dadde is believed to be a prominent figure within the local LGBTQ community in the Achimota and Abeka-Lapaz areas. The public has consequently been urged to provide information that could assist investigators in locating him and other persons allegedly connected to the event.
The latest development has also revived questions about previous encounters between the police and members of Ghana’s LGBTQ community.
Accounts attributed to people familiar with Dadde’s circumstances allege that he was involved in a similar incident in July 2021, when members of an LGBTQ group reportedly gathered for a ceremony involving two women.
The account claims that police moved to make arrests during that incident but that Dadde managed to escape.
It further alleges that he subsequently moved between different locations after his identity became known, amid threats to his safety. He is also said to have experienced difficulties finding employment after being identified as bisexual.
The allegations have not been independently verified.
The Achimota operation comes amid continuing public debate over the balance between the enforcement of Ghanaian law, constitutional rights and the protection of persons from discrimination and violence.
Human rights organisations have repeatedly expressed concern about the treatment and safety of people perceived to belong to sexual minority groups, particularly in situations involving public exposure, arrest or threats of violence.
Law enforcement authorities, however, maintain that their responsibility is to enforce the laws of the country and that police operations are undertaken on the basis of applicable legislation and available intelligence.
As of press time, the police had not officially disclosed the exact number of persons arrested during Saturday night’s operation. It was also unclear whether formal charges had been filed against any of those detained.
The police are expected to provide further details as investigations into the gathering and the whereabouts of the wanted suspect continue.
