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Bouncer receives death threat for separating fight involving alleged gays
For employing diplomacy as the best option to sanitise a seemingly chaotic situation at his workplace, one Rexford Nunoo, a bouncer, is said to be living in fear for his action.
He has been unjustifiably threatened with death by some unknown persons for separating two males (perceived to be gays) who were fighting at a popular night club, Sun Box Lounge, in Accra, where he worked as a bouncer.
A bouncer is a person employed by a night club or an establishment with similar purpose to prevent trouble makers or other unwanted people from entering or eject them from the premises.
Unknown to Nunoo, who is a Ga-Adangme, what appeared to be a scuffle at the night club was actually a group of people intending to beat up some two guys for allegedly being gay.
“I did my job by trying to settle the dispute. I was able to get the two guys to safety. After this gesture, other people at the lounge attacked me for helping the supposed homosexuals and tagged me to be one of them. They actually abused me verbally and since then my life has been in danger.
“I have been assaulted, injured and my property has been damaged, I even wonder if Ghana is safe for equal rights. I have been forced to go into hiding because I stay in a Muslim community and they are also against this act,” he explained in an interview with The Spectator.
Even worse, the stigma of being labelled a gay means he cannot even go to his hometown where the news had already spread and whose Member of Parliament has been one of the strongest advocates against LGBTQ; same reason he is scared to find solace in the Police since homosexuality is abhorred almost everywhere in Ghana.
“I hail from Prampram, but I can’t go there for safety because the MP, Mr Sam George, is strictly against homosexuals and really wants the anti-LGBTQ law to be passed. It has really affected my mental health.
“My side of the story has not been heard, yet others seek for my life. My fundamental human rights is being curtailed. If not for anything, I am human and need to be listened to. I need to be protected as human first, then a citizen” he said.
By Prince Dornu-Leiku
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
