In an attention-grabbing act of political and social media theatre, a transgender woman in Ghana has claimed that she’s the lover of a parliament member who supports anti-LGBTQ+ legislation moving through the country’s Parliament.
The Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill not only increases penalties for same-sex acts to up to five years in prison, but it also punishes “willful promotion” of homosexuality and incentivizes public accusations of Ghanaians in homosexual relationships.
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Earlier in April, Angel Maxine, self-described as “Ghana’s first openly trans artist,” declared in multiple social media posts that prominent Member of Parliament John Ntim Fordjour, one of the major backers of the bill, is her lover. The revelation rocked Ghana’s political class and ignited a firestorm of controversy online and in the media.
The scandal mushroomed as Maxine, cast as Fordjour’s “girlchick” by one tabloid’s description, shared intimate details of a relationship that Fordjour denied.
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“I didn’t dump you for no reason, you cheated on me and I felt betrayed because of the strong bond we shared,” Maxine said on socials.
“I know you are still hurt, but why will you wish jail on your sweet ex? Or is it just politics Daddy? @ntimfordjour,” Maxine added, ritually tagging Fordjour’s Instagram handle.
The purported couple’s relationship consumed the media, which cast relentless suspicion on Fordjour with tabloid headlines that called his denials into question. His political rivals seized the opportunity to antagonize him over the headlines.
Last week, the subject made it to the floor of Parliament.
Fordjour was forced to address the relationship on television the next day, in a stuttering appearance after Maxine’s claims had swamped multiple news cycles.
“I don’t even know whether it’s a he or she, I’ve not even met that person, Angel Maxine,” Fordjour blurted, clearly rattled by his interviewer’s questions.
“Somebody politically is emboldening him to come out with these things,” Fordjour claimed. “If I engage in these acts, will I be the one forcefully pushing that it should punish people?”
According to several viewers posting in response, that could be reason enough.
Said one: “Of all the people why is it you he’s singled out and wants your attention? Something’s not adding up Papa! Suspect 😂.”
Fordjour followed up the exasperated TV hit with a formal demand for retraction and apology “for vile and defamatory material” from his alleged trans girlfriend.
It was the opening Maxine had been waiting for.
On Tuesday, she revealed her true intentions concerning Fordjour, in an eloquent explanation posted to socials. Here’s the full text:
“I have taken note of the demand letter issued on behalf of Hon. Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, Member of Parliament for Assin South, concerning videos I posted on my social media platforms sometime this month.
“For those who may be unaware, sometime this year, Hon. Ntim Fordjour and other Members of Parliament reintroduced into Ghana’s Parliament a Bill sponsored and encouraged by Western evangelical interests. The Bill seeks to create an environment of repression, social stigma, hate, and risk of violence against Ghana’s minority queer community.
“A feature of the Bill is that it criminalizes expressions of affection, choice of clothing, freedom of expression, advocacy, and support by queer people and those associated with them. It also imposes a duty on parents, friends, neighbors, and other citizens to report people, including their own children or relatives they suspect of being queer.
“The Bill is one of the most regressive legislative instruments placed before our Parliament. Its effect is to dehumanize queer people and makes their ordinary lives a matter for criminal suspicion. Sadly, it does not appear that the proponents of the Bill sufficiently understand its weight and its potential corrosive impact on our society.
“In demonstrating the risk of such an expansive criminal law, I mentioned Hon. Ntim Fordjour as my lover. My purpose was to press the point that false reporting, public suspicion, and the mob-like justice that animates the Bill put everyone at risk.
“The statement by Hon. Ntim Fordjour’s lawyers, raising concerns about this reputation, illustrates the very danger the Bill poses. If a public allegation can cause this level of concern to a Member of Parliament with visibility, influence, and access to lawyers, then one must imagine what the same culture of suspicion will do to ordinary queer people who have no protection.
“I invite Hon. Ntim Fordjour to use this moment for reflection. I also invite him to an open conversation, one that may create room for understanding, and for a deeper appreciation of love, dignity and respect for one’s neighbor, even when we love differently.”
Maxine’s videos, her lawyers explained in a formal reply to Fordjour’s retraction demand, “were made as satire and political commentary in the course of her advocacy against the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.”
“As a public officer and a sponsor of the Bill,” Fordjour “must expect robust public scrutiny and criticism in relation to the public consequences of the legislation he champions,” Maxine’s reps said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our client will not be issuing the retraction and apology demanded. She reserves all her rights in this matter.”
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