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Suspected gay bedridden a year after mob attack
• Hakiku in POP on admission
A-40-year-old Madina-based trader in Accra, Mohammed Hakibu, has been bedridden for nearly a year following his attack by an angry mob on suspicion of being a gay.
Hakibu, who is currently on admission, said that he had not been able to work after the incident. The case was reported to the police at Madina but no arrest has been made as of now.
Narrating the incident to The Spectator, he said he met some friends (who were later rumoured to be part of the LGBTQ group), at an Islamic wedding in February 2021.
He said that in the course of the event, they hugged and held hands together most of the time, heartily chatting and joining in the merry-making.
According to him, he did not know that his own friends and neighbours at the event had read meanings into their show of affection for themselves and drawn had a conclusion that Hakibu (who even had a serious fiancée) was gay and, they launcheda deadly attack on him at home in order to, as they claim, “punish me for being a bad Muslim.”
He claimed he was attacked by an irate group one day and mercilessly beaten thus rendering him unconscious whilst at home with his fiancée — one Rose Diabo.
“They attacked me in my house together with my fiancee and she also sustained head injuries. It was late at night andwe were even asleep when I heard loud bangs on the door; so I went to open it and about 20 fully-armed men, many of whom were my childhood friends, pounced on me without hesitation,” the victim narrated his ordeal in tears.
Surprised by their unwarranted actions, he demanded an explanation as they kept beating him before he got to know that his attackers were accusing him of being gay and having gay friends who hesometimes harboured in his house, which wasan abomination in their community.
He vehemently denied the false charge, but to no avail.
“They used clubs, sticks and cutlasses to attack me and even broke my leg whiles beating me. It was my fiancée who disregarded her pain and called for a vehicle to convey us to the hospital,” Hakibu said.
Now, a-year-and-half on, the visibly injured Hakibu has remained bedridden yet to get back on his feet, having spent all his earnings on medication without any income since he has not opened his petty trading shop at the Madina market, all this while.
“It’s sad the way we handle people we accuse of any crime even before verifying in this country; we are too quick to judge people. Even if being gay was a crime and I was one, what they did to me should never be done to anyone, it was horrible,” the victim lamented.
By Prince Dornu-Leiku
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Armed Forces has confirmed that an escort convoy protecting civilians was attacked in Binduri in the Upper East Region, leaving three people dead.
In a press release issued on April 27, 2026, the military said the convoy, which was escorting about 140 civilians from Bawku to Bolgatanga, came under gunfire from unknown attackers.
It said the attackers shot at the convoy several times, killing three of the civilians being escorted and injuring one other person.
According to the statement, soldiers returned fire and were able to repel the attack. In the process, seven of the assailants were killed.
The military added that during a follow-up operation, weapons and ammunition were retrieved from a suspect who had taken refuge in a mosque.
The items included a G3 rifle, two loaded magazines, and additional rounds of ammunition.
It said ten other suspects have been arrested and are assisting with investigations.
The Ghana Armed Forces cautioned the public against engaging the military or any security agency during operations.
It extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished the injured person a speedy recovery.
By: Jacob Aggrey
