Former Dean of the School of Information and Communication Studies at the University of Ghana, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, has criticised sections of the Ghanaian media for what she described as biased and harmful coverage of LGBTQ+ issues.
Speaking at a virtual monthly lecture series themed “Rethinking Human Sexuality in Africa: The Weaponization of Media and Communication Against Non-Normative Sexual Identity,” on April 21, 2026, Prof Gadzekpo argued that the media had failed in its democratic responsibility by amplifying hostility against sexual minorities rather than promoting balanced national discourse.
According to Prof Gadzekpo, her research found that Ghana’s media landscape had become “an instrument of social control” against LGBTQ+ persons through agenda-setting, sensationalism, deliberate silencing, and uncritical reporting.
She said many media outlets failed to interrogate provisions in Ghana’s proposed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, including clauses that would require citizens to report family members or neighbours to authorities.
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“These are provisions with profound implications for family cohesion, communal living and civil liberties, yet the media said almost nothing about them,” she stated.
Prof Gadzekpo further alleged that LGBTQ+ persons and their allies were routinely excluded or intimidated in media discussions.
She recounted receiving summons from traditional authorities in Ghana after expressing views publicly, describing it as an attempt to silence dissenting voices.
She also referenced instances where public figures who expressed sympathy toward LGBTQ+ persons faced backlash and were forced to retract their comments.
According to her, advocacy organisations that ordinarily defend free speech had remained silent, while women’s rights groups such as Netright Ghana had raised concerns over intimidation tactics.
The media scholar also criticised both the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress for using anti-LGBTQ+ messaging during the 2024 general elections.
She said media houses aired campaign advertisements targeting LGBTQ+ persons without challenge or contextual analysis.
“This extended media complicity beyond editorial framing into direct dissemination of political propaganda targeting a vulnerable minority group,” she said.
Prof Gadzekpo accused some online media platforms of exploiting LGBTQ+-related headlines purely for web traffic, even when stories had little or nothing to do with sexuality.
She argued such practices criminalised queer communities while prioritising profit over ethical journalism.
The programme was hosted by Reverend Canon Dr Confidence Bansah, founder of the Centre for Religion and Public Life (CRPL-Ghana) and lecturer in Religion and Human Values at the University of Cape Coast.
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