A young woman of 29 who lives at New Zongo at Asokore Mampong in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, has reportedly disappeared from her residence.
For some weeks now, Salamatu, who trades in groceries in the neighbourhood, has not been seen around.
Reports indicate that she is fleeing from angry community members for her involvement in lesbianism.
It is reported that she and her known lesbian partner, one Maria, were attacked on November 1, 2022 in Maria’s house following a tip off by a co-tenant that the two were engaging in lesbianism.
Salamatu managed to escape the mob attack but Maria’s house at Sawaba, a suburb of Kumasi, was burnt down.
Fearing that she would be traced and attacked in the same manner, Salamatu decided to leave the vicinity without leaving any traces and address.
Salamatu’s mother who supported her by begging for alms after the father died was also knocked down by a car along the streets and thus became incapacitated.
Salamatu’s whereabouts is not known since none of her immediate relatives cannot be located by the members of the community.
She must be fleeing from mob attack or facing the law since same-sex sexual acts are illegal in Ghana since 1860. It attracts three years imprisonment if the practice and involvement is found to be consensual.
LGBT rights are heavily suppressed in Ghana.
Physical and violent homophobic attacks against LGBT people are common, and it is often encouraged by the media, religious and political leaders.
Reports of young gay people being kicked out of their homes are also common.
Meanwhile, Salamatu’s landlord, Alhaji Bawa Seidu, has lodged an official complaint with the Asawase police about Salamatu’s disappearance.
