A Rare Ghanaian Film Featuring a Queer Protagonist Could not have been Released at a Worse Time
Participants gather outdoors at LuCAC for an inspiring art session, promoting artistic infrastructure development in Zambia.
Joewackle J Kusi was making finishing touches to his short film, Nyame Mma (Children of God), and arranging screenings in the capital, Accra, when a piece of legislation passed through Ghana’s parliament, targeting LGBTQ+ content. According to the bill approved in late February, those involved in the “wilful promotion, sponsorship or support of LGBTQ+ activities” will face jail sentences of up to five years. The legislation, awaiting presidential endorsement before it becomes law, also stipulates a prison sentence of between six months and three years for those found guilty of identifying as LGBTQ+. Kusi says the bill’s passing forced him to cut the schedule short, to just one private screening for prominent art and film figures. It was shown on 6 March, Ghana’s Independence Day, at a venue in Accra, but Kusi has no idea if it will ever reach a wider audience.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN