Intro: Three stories from Ghana reveal the repression and fear that gay people live with in their personal lives, on the streets, and accessing health care. There seems no room for discussion or tolerance in this homophobic Christian and Islamic culture.
Upon being the first African nation to achieve independence from the United Kingdom in 1957,the name Ghana was chosen for the new nation to reflect the ancient Empire of Ghana that once extended throughout much of western Africa. In the Ashanti language it is spelled Gaana. Under Ghanaian law, male homosexual activity is officially illegal. Gay men can also be punished under provisions concerning assault and rape, only if “in public or with minor”. The Constitution of Ghana guarantees the protection of all human rights for Ghanaian citizens “whatever his race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, religion, creed or gender”, but does not mention sexuality.
Name: Ghana
Population: 22019000
Capital: Accra - Pop. 1847000
Area: 238533 sq. km/ sq. miles
Language: English, Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, Ga
Religion: Christian, indigenous beliefs, Muslim
Status of Homosexuality: Illegal
Telephone Country Code: 233
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