Pub owner denies alleged homosexuals’ party

Some residents of Adiembra Ridge, a suburb in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis have expressed disgust over the alleged intrusion of gays and lesbians into the area, to celebrate a birthday party at a popular Pub, the “Paddy's Pub.”

The alleged gays and lesbians, who numbered close to 70, according to sources in the area, aged between 15 and 40, came from the Metropolis and beyond.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, one Tango, a resident, regrettably alleged that some respectable persons in the society were part of the group.

The community member said, "as a citizen of the area i rushed to the venue and lo and behold the alleged gays and lesbians were doing their own thing."

According to him, when he decided to take pictures, the participants prevented him from doing so because he was not part of them.

"The bar owner then locked the doors and allowed the gays and lesbians to carry on with their activities. I suspect the owner took huge sums of money from the gays," he stressed.

Mr. Patrick Brempo, Assembly Member for Adiembra ridge, noted that he also heard the rumour, but could not confirm whether it was a party for homosexuals.

He, however, indicated that the case had been reported to the police, while the opinion leaders in the area had also began investigations into the matter.

When contacted, the Owner of "The Paddy's Pub" where the alleged party took place, Mr Emmanuel Gyansah, admitted that there was a party in the pub on Saturday, but denied it was gay and lesbians party.

According to him a man visited the pub about two weeks ago and booked the facility for a birthday party.

So on the eve of last Saturday the place was prepared and decorated for the party and as it was taking place, a group of young men from the community stormed the pub alleging that the celebrants were homosexuals.

The owner of the bar vehemently denied the allegation, and explained that it was a birthday party and that majority of those in the bar were even from the community.

Mr. Gyansah mentioned that some people in the community were bent on tarnishing his image and that of the bar, which served as the only recreational centre in the area.

He threatened to sue all those perpetrating the allegation in the area on radio in the law court.

The land lady of the building housing the pub, Madam Grace Yankey, expressed shock at the rumour, and said it was to dent the image of the popular recreational centre in the community.

It would be recalled that some gays and lesbians from all over the country converged at Royal Gem Theater at Tanokrom near Takoradi for a similar function during which their activities were published in some of the dailies.

Unconfirmed reports have it that that there are about

2000 registered gays in Takoradi alone, a trend that is worrying due to the risk posed to those involved and the society at large.