Kasapii, Ahafo Region, Ghana – A man narrowly escaped death on Saturday December 14
2024 after being falsely accused of being a member of the LGBTQ+ community in the town
of Kasapii in the Ahafo Region.
The victim, Kwaku Owusu, a 32-year-old carpenter, was attacked in the Kasapii
marketplace after a vendor accused him of being part of the LGBTQ+ community. The
accusation quickly escalated into mob violence, with onlookers joining the attack. Owusu
was severely beaten until a group of bystanders, including a local pastor and community
elders, intervened and called the police. He was later taken to a nearby hospital, where he
is receiving treatment for multiple injuries.
Background: The Case of Julius and Kwabena
This latest incident comes in the wake of the tragic case of Julius Nana Osei Nyamekye
popularly known as Julius and Kwabena Addai popularly known as Kwabena, two young
men originally from Bremang, Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region. In April, 2023, they were
accused of engaging in same-sex relations in Kasapii. A mob attacked the two men,
severely beating them.
According to Nana Yaa, a resident of Kasapii, Kwabena Addai(Kwabena) was later spotted
near the house he and Julius Nana Osei Nyamekye (Julius} once shared on October 16,
- Residents alerted others, and a group attacked him, beating him severely. “They said
he had the audacity to come back after what had happened,” Nana Yaa recounted.
Kwabena Addai(Kwabena) was admitted to the Kasapii SDA Hospital with life-threatening
injuries. His family in Kumasi requested his transfer to the Manhyia Government Hospital in
the Ashanti Region for specialized care. Despite medical efforts, Kwabena
Addai(Kwabena) succumbed to his injuries on Octoberr 21, 2024.
Kwabena was buried at the Tafo Cemetery in Kumasi on November 16, 2024. During the
funeral, members of an anti-LGBTQ+ group were heard chanting threats and vowing to
locate Julius, who remains in hiding. “We will find him and punish him for disgracing our
community,” mourners declared.
Mistaken Identity and Mob Violence
Saturday’s attack on Kwaku Owusu is believed to have been a case of mistaken identity.
Witnesses say that Owusu, who bears a striking resemblance to Mensah, was wrongly
identified as the fugitive by individuals familiar with the earlier incident.
“I heard people shouting, ‘That’s him! That’s the man who escaped!’ and before I knew it,
they were attacking him,” said an eyewitness. Owusu was beaten and stripped before being
rescued by bystanders. He has denied any connection to Julius Nana Osei
Nyamekye(Julius) or Kwabena Addai(Kwabena). “I don’t know these people or what
happened. I was just in the market to buy supplies,” Owusu said from his hospital bed.
The Context: Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation in Ghana
The incident comes amidst heightened tensions over Ghana’s recent anti-LGBTQ+ bill,
officially titled the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values
Bill. Currently under consideration in Parliament, the bill seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+
activities, advocacy, and support, with penalties ranging from fines to lengthy prison
sentences.
Proponents argue that the legislation is necessary to protect Ghana’s cultural and moral
values, which they say are at odds with LGBTQ+ practices. Opponents, however, contend
that the bill violates fundamental human rights and fosters an environment of intolerance
and violence.
“The government’s rhetoric and actions have emboldened individuals and groups to take
the law into their own hands,” said Lydia Mensah, a human rights advocate in Kumasi.
“When you demonize people, you create a culture of fear and hatred that leads to tragedies
like these.”
Government Response
In response to the attack on Owusu, Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
condemned the mob violence but reiterated the government’s stance on preserving
Ghana’s cultural values. “The government does not condone mob justice under any
circumstances,” he said. “While we remain committed to upholding Ghana’s moral
principles, all allegations must be handled through lawful processes.”
However, critics argue that the government’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies indirectly encourage
such acts. Amnesty International Ghana issued a statement urging authorities to protect all
citizens, regardless of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, and to address the root
causes of mob violence.
Call for Peace and Justice
The attack on Owusu has sparked widespread calls for dialogue, education, and tolerance.
Community leaders in Kasapii and Kumasi have urged calm, while human rights
organizations demand stronger protections for marginalized groups.
Owusu, still recovering from his injuries, expressed frustration and fear over the ordeal. “I
almost lost my life for something I had no part in. This hatred must stop,” he said.
As the anti-LGBTQ+ bill continues to stir controversy, incidents like these underscores the
urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address violence, foster understanding, and
uphold the rule of law in Ghana.
