The family of a Kumasi-based Muslim cleric Sheikh Issah Suleman Guerni, who was violently driven from his home after making remarks in defence of LGBTQ+ rights at a wedding ceremony, has confirmed that he has fled Ghana and is currently in the United States of America seeking asylum.
It comes after a follow-up exclusive by AfricaNews360.com on the family, who confirm that Sheikh Issah Suleman Guerni made direct contact with them, saying he was safe and had travelled to the United States to file for asylum.
Sheikh Issah Suleman Guerni fled his home in the Anwiam community in Kumasi in March 2023 following a violent mob attack triggered by a sermon in which he questioned the moral inconsistency of communities that condemn LGBTQ+ practices while tolerating fornication and out-of-wedlock births among their own youth.
His mother Maria Salifu, his sisters Humu Issah and Hawa Issah, and his younger brother Abdul Razak Issah Gwen had no knowledge of his whereabouts from the moment he fled until they read AfricaNews360’s original report revealing that he had travelled to the United States and filed for asylum.
Following the publication of that story, Shaikh Guerni made direct contact with his family. They have since spoken with him and confirmed he is alive and safe.
His mother Maria Salifu told AfricaNews360 that the weeks of not knowing had been unbearable. “We did not know where he was,” she said. “He left without telling us anything. After that he called us. We are just happy he is alive.”
His sister Humu Issah described the moment of relief when contact was finally made. “We were worried sick,” she said. “No word from him, nothing. Now we have spoken to him and we know he is okay.”
Brother Abdul Razak Issah Gwen said the family are now focused on hoping for a positive outcome to his asylum application. “He did nothing wrong,” he said. “He spoke and people wanted to kill him for it. We are praying that America will hear his case and give him the protection he needs.”
Children left behind
The family confirmed that Shaikh Guerni left behind his children when he fled. AfricaNews360 is making further enquiries into the welfare and current situation of the children and will report on this as information becomes available.
No accountability for the mob
Since AfricaNews360’s original report in March 2023, there has been no public statement from local authorities in Kumasi regarding the mob attack on the cleric. No arrests have been made. No investigation has been publicly announced.
“A man was beaten, his home threatened with burning, and he was ultimately forced to flee his country — and those responsible have faced no legal consequences whatsoever,” the family laments.
Background
AfricaNews360 first reported this story in March 2023. Sheikh Guerni had been invited to preach at a wedding ceremony in Anwiam, Kumasi, when he made remarks suggesting communities could not credibly condemn LGBTQ+ practices while accepting sexual immorality within their own ranks. An angry mob formed, manhandled him, pursued him to his home, and threatened to burn it down. Neighbours intervened to prevent what eyewitnesses described as a near lynching. He fled the same night, leaving behind his belongings and children.
The incident took place against the backdrop of Ghana’s Parliament having passed the Promotion of Appropriate Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, legislation that has hardened community attitudes toward anyone perceived to show sympathy for LGBTQ+ rights.
Shaikh Guerni’s family are now waiting and praying. He is in America. They are in Kumasi. And they are hoping the country that gave him refuge will make it permanent.
If the United States grants his asylum application, it would amount to a formal international recognition that he faced genuine persecution in Ghana for his views, a significant finding for a country that presents itself as a democracy with constitutional protections for freedom of expression and religion.
