The Director of Youth Drive International, Patrick Kwabena Arthur is wanted by the security agencies in Ghana to assist in an ongoing investigation about a case involving the near lynching of a young man suspected to be practicing homosexuality in Tamale.
It would be remembered sometime last week that, residents of Choggu Yapalsi are on the chase of one Iddrissu Hudu Abdulai, whom they suspect to be gay. Hudu Abdulai, was suspected to be practicing homosexuality with the son of a renowned Muslim leader, until their abominable love story cover was blown.
Sheik Mahamadu Alhassan is known for his strict stance against homosexuality and therefore did not take kindly to the conduct of Lukman Habib, his gay son.
It is based on this reason that Sheik Mahmadu Alhassan has declared a ‘Jihad’ against Iddrisu Hudu Abdulai and any supporting individual or organization. He is accusing them of introducing his son to the act, which he claims is alien to the region.
Residents have spelt doom on the organisers of the Northern Ghana Model United Nations Conference (NOGHAMUN), who they accuse of using that conference to promote and educate human rights as well as Gay rights in that region, during the conference. Mr. Abdulai was a delegate at the conference and residents believe that, the conference might have contributed to the rise of homosexuality in the region.
Mr. Arthur came out publicly to condemn the act and in a dramatic twist has become a prime target for muslim youth particularly in Tamale.
Mr. Arthur who hails from that part of the country and has lived all his life there argued that homosexuals are also entitled to basic human rights and that must be respected.
The northern part of Ghana is very culturally conservative probably due to the domination of Islamic religion in that part of the country.
Mr. Arthur’s Youth Drive, an NGO which works in the area of youth empowerment and development recently organized the Northern Ghana Model UN Conference (NOGHAMUN) which brought together students from over 30 Senior High Schools in Northern Sector to discuss topical issues including food security, climate change, human rights, as well as gay rights.
The aftermath of these discussions sparked so much outrage because of the revelation that the practice of homosexuality was taking root in many senior high schools and especially when Mr. Arthur came out strongly to defend gay activities in the country and the fact that he is rumored to be involved in the evil act himself.
Ghana per se has no strict laws on homosexuality but our sociocultural orientation promotes the stigmatization and ostrasization of people involved in such activities. Homosexuality is currently illegal in Ghana .
Meanwhile, the family house of the suspects was last week reported to have been raided by angry weapon-wielding residents led by Sheik Mahamadu Alhassan.
They claim Mr. Abdulai and any other accomplishes conducts are dragging the name of the community in the mud. They as well threatened to wipe Mr. Abdulai's (who is the prime suspect ) entire family if he’s and his accomplishes are not ostracized from the community on religious grounds.
Family members who spoke to DAILY GUIDE disclosed that in view of the allegations leveled against Iddrisu Hudu Abdulai, they continue to receive death threats from some community members and therefore feel insecure.
According to our sources, attempts to reach Mr. Arthur has so far proved futile and there is genuine concern that the inability to trace his whereabouts could be a source of worry.
