Images of two individuals holding hands and draped in the rainbow pride flag at Ghana’s Independence Arch have ignited passionate conversations across social media platforms this week.
The photos, which appear to have been taken in Accra’s Black Star Square, a national symbol of Ghana’s freedom and self-determination, are part of what the pair describe as the #ShowGhanaLove campaign, an act of solidarity with Ghana’s LGBTQ+ community.
When Adomonline did a little digging, we found the source of the trending images on Instagram.
The account belongs to Lue & Rue, a queer couple who shared the photos along with a striking caption:
“All we’re here to do is #ShowGhanaLove. Never in our lives did we think we’d find ourselves in Ghana, doing something so simple and yet so defiant.”
The timing of the images is significant. Ghana is currently in the global spotlight due to its anti-LGBTQIA+ bill, the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.
If passed, the bill proposes up to three years imprisonment for identifying as queer and five years for anyone who supports LGBTQIA+ individuals in any form.
Lue & Rue’s post continues:
“Coming out was already hard. Some of our own family members struggled to accept us. But imagine waking up and realising that just being who you are could land you in prison. Not because you’ve harmed anyone, but because of who you love.”
Their act of love and defiance has struck a chord, not just because of its symbolic location but also because of its courage in the face of Ghana’s customary position on such issues.
The Independence Arch, often associated with the memory of Ghana’s liberation from colonial rule, now finds itself as the backdrop for a new kind of struggle: one for sexual identity, visibility, and equal rights.
“That will be the reality of queer Ghanaians,” the post reads. “That’s why we’re here to meet hate with love and stand in solidarity. Through the #ShowGhanaLove campaign, we’re confronting the erasure and criminalisation of queer people by love-bombing Ghana’s iconic landmarks of freedom.”
An activity timeline tracking of the couple’s Instagram footprint also suggests that they have visited other important tourist sites in Ghana already, including the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum, as well as the Aburi Botanical Garden.
Reactions online have been mixed. While some have praised the couple’s courage and the peaceful tone of their message, others have expressed strong opposition, citing cultural, religious, and legal grounds.
Debate continues over the fate of the anti-LGBTQIA+ bill, which has drawn criticism from human rights organisations and global activists but still enjoys broad political support in Ghana.
For now, the images remain a talkability hotspot, trending across platforms and challenging Ghanaians to reflect on the meaning of freedom, love, and national identity, right at the foot of the Black Star.
