A Ghanaian media personality has come under fire for inciting violence against LGBTQ+ people after telling his audience that he would kill his own children if they ever came out to him.
Blessed Godsbrain Smart, known as Captain Smart, made the inflammatory remarks during his Onua Maakye morning show on Onua TV/FM on 25 March.
Threats Against His Own Children
“As I am sitting here right now, if you are my son and decide to marry a male… I will buy a poisonous substance… and kill you,” he asserted.
He went on to add: “If my daughter says she doesn’t like men… I will beat her to death.”
Smart’s comments were in response to news that Lincoln University in the United States reversed its plan to present Ghana’s President, John Mahama, an honorary doctorate after concerns were raised about his willingness to sign the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
Rights Group Condemns “Unethical” Conduct
LGBTQI+ group Rightify Ghana condemned Smart’s statements, saying they “clearly raise serious ethical and professional issues, particularly under the standards expected of journalists.”
The organisation continued: “The comments, advocating violence and using derogatory language, appear to be in direct conflict with the ethical obligations of responsible journalism, including respect for human dignity, avoidance of harm, and accuracy.”
It called on the National Media Commission to take action to uphold its mandate to “ensure high journalistic standards and protect the public interest in broadcasting.”
Rising Tensions Amid Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill
The outspoken broadcaster’s disturbing comments come at a deeply troubling time for LGBTQ+ people in Ghana, with lawmakers intent on passing an extreme anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
The legislation, which lawmakers reintroduced in Parliament in February, seeks to criminalise identifying as LGBTQ+ or as an ally, in addition to targeting same-sex intimacy and gender-affirming medical services, with penalties of up to three years in prison and fines.
The dissemination or publication of materials that advocate for the equality or affirmation of LGBTQ+ people would carry prison sentences of between five and ten years. Organisations supporting LGBTQ+ rights would be disbanded, and adoption by LGBTQ+ people would be outlawed.
One Response
Such hypocrite is just gingering the ignorant people to kill their own children because they’re poor and daft but he will never kill his . His a coward that has murdered his own soul too many times . He always wants the attention since Mahama is Working right and he has nothing to lie about