Gay rights activist falls off palanquin during enstoolment as chief
Popular gay rights activist, Davis Mac Iyalla, who has been enstooled Amankorehen of the Yamonransa Nkusukum Traditional Area in the Central Region fell down from the Palanquin in which he was carried during his coronation.
The Amankorehen was enstooled as development chief who is expected to promote activities that accelerate the development of the community.
Iyalla was installed by the Omanhen and President of Nkusukum Traditional Area, Nana Okese Essandoh IX,
under the stool name Nana Kwesi Gyasi I.
The ceremony was attended by several traditional authorities from Osu in Accra, Elmina, Mankessim and Cape Coast.
There was a police presence to ensure peace during the precession through the street.
A short video in which the palanquin is seen falling down from the heads of those carrying him has been shared on social media.
Video: When Gay rights activist Davis Mac Iyalla fell down from Palanquin during installation as chief https://t.co/rDWzje8dY9 pic.twitter.com/inqK7dNqkv
— GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) January 29, 2023
In the said video, some people are heard screaming and mentioning “Jesus” in their attempt to save the chief from landing on the ground from the palanquin.
Shortly after the screaming, a group of people are seen rushing to the place where the palanquin fell down.
Speaking after the traditional rites and addressing the people, Davis Mac Iyalla stated that he was born in Nigeria but is now a British citizen saying by “the grace of God I practice what I preach and that is human rights for all persons. I don’t believe in discrimination. Whether you are tall, short black, white, yellow or green you are a human being and I will fight for that my belief to the very end. No matter what it cost me. I am not a hypocrite and I will not start now to be a hypocrite. You don’t need to like me but you have to respect my views,” he stated.
He explained that he came to know the Omanhen in April 2022 when the Omanhen had been in a chieftaincy dispute for 13years.
He said soon after knowing him (the Omanhen) they worked to ensure he was gazetted in December 2022 and sworn into the regional house of chiefs.
However, some people tried to stop the ceremony, but Iyalla addressed those people who tried to stop the ceremony that ” same people had made foreigners chiefs and benefited from it”
“I am a man of action. When I enter somewhere I bring change. Whenever I enter anywhere if I say I want to do something I do it and I do it very well.” he added