Blackmailers, organized groups using Facebook, Twitter, Grindr, and Romeo to target & attack LGBTQI+ persons

It has emerged that some blackmailers and Organised Groups are harming persons who associate with the LGBTQI+ COMMUNITY.

These blackmailers continue to use the internet to lure and harm members of the LGBTQI+ community.

Social media platforms and apps such as Grindr, Blued, Planet Romeo, Hornet, Facebook, and others are used to lure victims who are attacked.

Rainbowradioonline.com further gathered that the attackers are scattered across the country.

Below are areas where some gays have either faced blackmail, beating, or public outing.

*In Accra,*

Christian Village and surrounding areas (Kisseman, Haatso, West Land or West Legon)

Lapaz (Racecourse, Nyamekye, & around Abrantie Spot)

Achimota (Achimota Forest, Cargo Station, Abofu, Alogboshie)

Dome (Paraku Estate, Grusi Town, Railways)

Spintex (around EcoBank area)

Kasoa and surrounding areas (Liberia Camp/Budumburam)

Ablekuma (NIC, New Market)

Nima (including Mamoobi, Malata)

Teishie – Nungua (Barrier, some beaches around the area) Teshie, Bush Road

Kaawo KudiPokuaseParts of Tema

Dansoman (Sukura, Glefe)

*In Kumasi* Barekese road (Especially Asuofia, Atafoa, Bohyen, Abrepo, Ohwin, etc)

Anwomaso Tafo Pankrono ( around Trinity Hospital)

Aboabo AkoremBantama (Around Motown Bar)

*In Takoradi* Top 10Effiakuma ZongoZenith Area

*In Cape Coast* AburaKomenda (Cape Coast – Takoradi Road)Anomabo (Cape Coast – Accra road)

The list, was put together by Rightify Ghana after conversations with human rights defenders as well as some victims. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Meanwhile, a recent report released by the U.S. Department of State’s 2021 Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices has disclosed that beatings and public humiliation of suspected LGBTQ+ persons are commonplace in Ghana.

On acts of violence, criminalisation, and other abuses based on sexual orientation and gender identity, the document noted: “Beatings and public humiliation of LGBTQI+ persons by community members were common and growing in number”.

“The attacks were sometimes shared on social media in an effort to further humiliate and ostracise LGBTQI+ persons”, it added.

“There were some reports of police violence against LGBTQI+ persons”, adding: “LGBTQI+ persons faced police harassment and extortion attempts”.

It said there were reports that police officers were “reluctant” to investigate claims of assault or violence against LGBTQI+ persons.

“Stigma, intimidation, and the perceived negative attitude of some police toward LGBTQI+ persons were factors in preventing survivors from reporting incidents of abuse”, the report observed.

It indicated: “LGBTQI+ activists also reported widespread attempts to blackmail LGBTQI+ individuals, with prosecution difficult due to police inaction”.

Also, the report said: “LGBTQI+ persons in prison were vulnerable to sexual and other physical abuse, which authorities generally did not investigate”.

By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana