In recent times, Ghana has observed the increasing activities of cross-dressers, individuals who wear clothing traditionally associated with the opposite gender.
Presently, most cross-dressers are well-known male skit makers who have been sharing their artistic content on social media platforms such as X, TikTok and others.
Wesly Kesse, Akonoba, and Kcreietin are among the many male skit makers who employ cross-dressing in the making of their content.
@kcreietin When they get upset in Korea 😅😅😅😅 #meme #comedy ♬ original sound – davido
@original_akonoba POV:Tag that woman at funeral who only comes down when she sees alcohol😂#akonoba_ghana #eno_sampene #viral @Efya Papabi @Adiepena Ajoa Papabi@Afia Bama🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇭🇫🇷 @Josephine Maanye 🇪🇦🇬🇧🇬🇭 ♬ Laughing – Gianluca Marino
African countries like Nigeria can speak of cross-dressers such as Bobrisky, and James Brown. These men have faced severe repercussions, including imprisonment and even violence. However, they also have a fan base.
@legitngnews Popular Cross-dresser, James Brown, reacts to the news of cross-dressers arrested recently in Delta State. 🎥: wf_jamesbrown (Instagram) #legitng #legitposts #jamesbrown #nigeria #viral ♬ original sound – Legit.ng
The resentment for male cross-dressers is also present in Ghana. On the X platform, some Ghanaians continue to pass derogatory remarks.
Due to the female roles they play, they are labelled as gays by some Ghanaians. It is important to note that none of the Ghanaian cross-dressers cited for this article have come out of the closet or indicated that they are not straight.
@original_akonoba Please let me be snatched😂 OUTFIT FROM👗 @Kifi HAIR STAYLED AND MAKEUP BY @SaybeautyOriginal VIDEO SHOT AND EDITED BY @Kcreietin Accessories from @bb_dazzle_me @Afia Bama🇺🇸🇺🇸🇬🇭🇫🇷 @Josephine Maanye 🇪🇦🇬🇧🇬🇭 @BlackBeauty #akonoba_ghana #eno_sampene #viral ♬ original sound – Bobrisky
Some Ghanaians have called on the Ghana Police Service to arrest such individuals. Such a request has prompted the need to find out if presently, Ghana has provisions in its laws, that could see such cross-dressers behind bars.
Presently, Ghana does not have any laws that make cross-dressing illegal. The closest thing to a law is the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill of 2021, also known as the anti-LGBTQ bill.
On February 28, 2024, Ghana’s Parliament unanimously passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021.
The bill which is yet to be assented to by President Akufo-Addo to become law criminalises the mere identification as an LGBTQ+ community member and “related activities,” including same-sex relationships, the use of sex toys, and cross-dressing.
Per reports from one of the proponents of the bill, Sam Nartey George, several amendments have been made to the bill, indicating that the initial document which circulated on social media three years ago has been altered.
In a media engagement, he noted that some amendments include sanctions for males and females who cross-dress to make sexual advances to their same gender and not necessarily cross-dressing for entertainment purposes.
Presently, the content of the bill has not been made public as the President has been advised against receiving the bill from the Clerk of Parliament due to the legal action against the bill currently at the Supreme Court.
In the majority of Ghana’s cultural practices, it is prohibited for a man to dress as a female for his day-to-day activities. The only instances where men and women can be portrayed as the opposite gender is during festivals.
Although cross-dressing is sometimes associated with the LGBT+ community, it’s important to note that not all cross-dressers identify as queer, and cross-dressing does not automatically imply an LGBT+ identity.
Meanwhile, Ghanaian female dancehall artiste cum gospel preacher, Mercy Onuawonto Sam, popularly known as Iona Reine has issued a word of caution to cross-dressers in Ghana.
According to her, the young men who dress up as women for comedy will end up in hell if they continue. Iona added that the Bible is against men and women who dress in the opposite sex for entertainment.