Chelsea Icon Micheal Essien was forced to pull down a post on social media supporting gay rights in Ghana following a barrage of abuse and unfollows from his fans.
The Ghanaian,38, who still commands huge attention at home, was attacked after the support in a country where homosexuality is illegal.
He deleted the post hours later after too much negative feedback. Essien also lost millions of followers in the process.
“Ghana supports equality. We see you, we support you. Our LGBTQIA plus Community in Ghana.” he posted.
Ghana president Nana Akufo-Addo recently declared same-sex marriages will never be allowed under his leadership. Celebs such as Naomi Campbell and Idris Elba have campaigned for change and appealed to the president to overrule his decision in vain.
“I have said it before, and let me stress it again,” said the 76-year-old president.
“It will not be under the Presidency of Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo that same-sex marriage will be legal.”
Here’s how people reacted to his message:
Essien lost over a MILLION followers for supporting LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana yesterday. I can't even compute how much work there still is to do.
Stay on the right side of history @MichaelEssien.#LoveIsLove https://t.co/Fpv1HxpS7j
— Nick Heath (@nickheathsport) March 3, 2021
On @MichaelEssien LGBàçè23RY post : he's totally free to express his "support" for this movement.May he just know what is really behind the LGB&é-è² movement (spoiler : it's not equality or whatever!).
— Plovtfi Wada (@LotfiWada) March 3, 2021
Wow, the hate for Michael Essien is sad, you don't support LGBTQ rights, but you also don't want other people to support, why?!?? What did you go through in this life that has filled you with so much hate for queer people?!??
— Yasmeen Ghauri ✨ (@riman_esseta) March 3, 2021
@MichaelEssien next time u wl learn sense
U think living outside Africa makes u more influential than ya hometown people?
Ain't u from central region?— HRM_OHENE1👑 (@okyeniba11) March 3, 2021
