The Scourge of Stigmatisation: Should Compassionate People Not Unite Against Persecution in Ghana?

In Ghana, certain demographics are subjected to relentless stigmatisation and persecution. The LGBTQI+ community, in particular, faces unprecedented discrimination and marginalisation. According to the 2022 Human Rights Watch report, LGBTQI+ individuals in Ghana face widespread discrimination, violence, and harassment, with 90% of Ghanaians believing homosexuality is wrong (Pew Research, 2020).

However, they're not alone. Other groups, including those with mental health conditions, albinism, and disabilities, also suffer from societal scorn and exclusion. A 2020 survey by the Ghana Mental Health Authority found that 1 in 5 Ghanaians experience mental health conditions, with stigma and discrimination being significant barriers to seeking help. Meanwhile, people with albinism face ongoing challenges, including social exclusion, discrimination, and violence (Under the Same Sun, 2022).

My personal harrowing experience of being falsely accused of being a homosexual has given me a glimpse into the hellish lives of those who are genuinely LGBTQI+. The hate, intolerance, and suffering I have endured in the part of Gomoa Budumburam, where I live, have made me more empathetic to their plight, as well as that of other similarly stigmatised and persecuted demographics.

In my view as a human rights activist, it is time for compassionate Ghanaians to unite against stigmatisation and persecution across our entire country. We must create a Ghana where everyone can live without fear of discrimination. A Ghana where love, acceptance, and inclusivity triumph over hate, intolerance, and exclusion. Let's stand in solidarity, with all marginalised and stigmatised groups, including the LGBTQI+ community. Let's fight for their rights, just as we'd want them to fight for ours if we were in their shoes. Together, we can build a more compassionate and just society in our beautiful, peaceful, and bountiful Motherland Ghana.