A new study has shown that Ghanaians are more worried about the perceived negative effects of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) activities than they are about armed robbery, rape, high cost of living, poor infrastructure and galamsey.
The study which was conducted in June 2017 by the Africa Centre for International Law and Accountability (ACILA), sampled 1,200 respondents drawn from 5 regions in Ghana.
As the first of its kind, the study measures perceptions and attitudes of Ghanaians towards LGBT issues and provide comprehensive scientific public opinion data to stimulate informed discussions for policy formulation.
According to the report, about two out of every three Ghanaian (60.7%) are not aware that Ghana has to provide Equal Protection of the Law from violence and discrimination to all persons including LGBT people under the United Nations Universal Periodic Review instrument.
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Also, Ghanaians are more concerned about LGBT issues than youth unemployment, armed robbery, rape, health care, high cost of living, education, poor infrastructure, and galamsey.
Corruption, the report notes, is the number one concern for Ghanaians followed closely by LGBT issues.
About 60% of Ghanaians “strongly disagree” or “disagree” that LGBT persons deserve equal treatment as heterosexuals.
A significant 87% of Ghanaians are also against LGBT persons holding public meetings to discuss LGBT issues.
More than 97% of Ghanaians are aware that the Police has a responsibility to protect every citizen against mob injustice, and “strongly disagree” or “agree” by 94% that any person who engages in mob activity should be brought to justice.
However, 20% “strongly disagree” or ‘disagree” that the Police has a responsibility to protect LGBT persons against mob injustice.
The report also reveals a majority of Ghanaians (80%) are “very uncomfortable” or “uncomfortable” associating themselves with LGBTI persons. However, about 67% will receive emergency medical treatment from a nurse or doctor they perceive as LGBT.
Interestingly, 30% of Christians, 40% of Muslims and 50% of traditionalists say they will not receive emergency medical treatment from a nurse or doctor they perceive as LGBT.
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The report shows that violence and discrimination against LGBTI persons are widespread across the Ghanaian society.
About 13% of Ghanaians will ‘physically abuse”, “verbally abuse” or “force” an LGBTI person to hide his or her identity. Also, a significant number of Ghanaians, representing 45.3%, say they will “socially shun” an identified LGBTI.
More than 54% of Ghanaians say expelling students perceived to be LGBTI should be promoted.
On November 7, 2017, Ghana rejected (noted) recommendations to legalize same-sex marriage or decriminalize consensual sexual relations when it appeared before the UN Human Rights Council (UNHCR) for a review of its human rights record under the Universal Periodic Review mechanism.
However, Ghana accepted recommendations to provide Equal Protection of the Law from violence of discrimination against LGBTI people relative to domestic and international human right laws.