One dead as Techiman Traditional Council denounced alleged homosexual incident

The Techiman Traditional Council has strongly denounced an alleged homosexual incident involving a popular local radio presenter, an event that has triggered community outrage and led to the tragic death of one person.

A press release signed by the Council’s Registrar, Hagan Sarpong, stated that the alleged act occurred on May 25, 2025, at the residence of Nana Osei Ahenkro, a former employee of the Bono East Regional House of Chiefs and a presenter at Classic FM.

Nana Osei Ahenkro was allegedly engaged in a homosexual act with Richmond Mensah. The Council labeled the incident as “criminal, abominable, and disgraceful” to the customs and values of the Techiman Traditional Area.

“This act represents a serious breach of our customs, religious beliefs, and national laws. Homosexuality is viewed as an abomination and a direct insult to the moral foundations of our society,” the statement read.

After the alleged act became known to the public, community members attempted to apprehend the two individuals and bring them before the traditional authorities. Both fled initially. During a pursuit by local youth, Richmond Mensah was captured but tragically died as a result of mishandling, an outcome the Council expressed regret over, though it maintained that traditional justice was warranted.

Reaffirming its position, the Council stressed that homosexuality is not only prohibited under Ghanaian law but also contradicts the cultural and spiritual principles of the Techiman Traditional Area. It urged the public to report any suspected cases of homosexuality and warned that anyone found shielding such individuals would face harsh traditional penalties, including banishment.

This incident unfolds amid intense national debate over LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana. In February 2024, Parliament passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, which proposed prison terms of up to three years for same-sex relations and up to five years for promoting LGBTQ+ activities. However, it was not signed into law by the previous government.

With the election of President John Mahama in January 2025, support for the bill has intensified. The President has publicly backed its enactment, reinforcing the government’s stance. While the legislation enjoys broad support domestically, it continues to face sharp criticism from international human rights organizations.