In December 2019, a troubling event happened at Frankis Hotel in Nima, Accra, involving two men, Kojo Mac and Ibrahim Ali. The men were allegedly involved in a same-sex act, which led to a violent encounter with a local vigilante group. Unfortunately, one man lost his life, while the other barely managed to escape.
According to neighbors, the vigilante group had been keeping an eye on Kojo and Ibrahim for a while. On the day of the incident, the group followed them to Frankis Hotel, where the men were reportedly seen engaging in sexual activities. A hotel worker, suspected of being linked to the vigilantes, gave them the couple’s room number. This is when things took a serious turn.
Despite hotel security’s efforts to stop them, the vigilante group, made up of around 15 people, broke into the room and found the men in a compromising position. The group then beat Kojo and Ibrahim while humiliating them in front of a gathering crowd.
In the midst of the chaos, Kojo Mac managed to escape by jumping out of a window, but Ibrahim Ali was left behind. The vigilantes severely beat Ibrahim, who eventually made a run for it, heading towards Kanda Highway. In a daring move, he jumped onto a moving 18-wheeler truck, escaping further violence. The group couldn’t continue the chase and had to give up.
While Ibrahim survived, Kojo Mac wasn’t as fortunate. The injuries he suffered were fatal, though the exact details of his death are still unclear. People in the area have expressed shock and fear about what happened, with many condemning the attack.
In Ghana, homosexuality is illegal and deeply frowned upon by society. Those involved in same-sex relationships face harsh punishment, including violence and public shaming. Many believe that if the police had arrested Kojo and Ibrahim, they might have been treated even more harshly because of the country’s strict laws against homosexuality. The vigilante group’s actions reflect the wider issue of intolerance towards the LGBTQ+ community in Ghana.
This tragic event, which led to Kojo’s death on February 12, 2020, and Ibrahim’s near escape, shows the serious dangers that LGBTQ+ individuals face in the country. It also highlights the urgent need for dialogue and reform to stop further violence and loss of life. So far, authorities have not commented on the incident, and it is uncertain if legal action will be taken against the vigilante group involved.
