Afro-folk musician Wanlov the Kubolor has revealed that he is now reaping the rewards of staying authentic.

During an interview on Joy Prime with Asieduwaa Akumi, Kubolor expressed his belief that everyone’s path to freedom is different, but for "me, it’s about living honestly and without fear.”

“It took a while, but people are beginning to understand my art. I’m producing artists now, and it’s paying off financially. I’m happy with how things are going.”

Wanlov the Kubolor, a musician and advocate for gay rights, attributes the surge in hostility towards LGBT+ individuals in Ghana to colonialism, religion, and poverty.

During a recent interview with Graphic Online TV, Wanlov asserted that before the era of colonialism, LGBT+ individuals lived harmoniously within societies.

He elaborated that the escalation of animosity towards the LGBT+ community in Ghana coincided with a lack of access to fundamental resources and societal necessities among citizens.

According to Wanlov, this deprivation, combined with religious doctrines, fostered an environment conducive to homophobia.

"When I look at the fact that there were no stringent laws, harsh punishments, or anything out there, that is the pre-colonial era, against homosexuality or queer life, I feel like people just coexisted.

“What has happened now to us as Ghanaians is that we have been taken to this level of poverty right now. And each of us feels very neglected by the state.

"Each of us feels very neglected by the places we work. We feel like everybody is trying to take advantage, underpay us, and so on. So the average Ghanaian is not getting all the rights guaranteed by the constitution. We don't live with the kind of dignity we are supposed to.

“Then this average Ghanaian is being taught by Christianity, by Islam, and by colonial traditional religion that homosexuality is a sin.

"So when the queer community that is extra oppressed because of this homophobia steps up to say, ‘Okay, can you at least treat us like the average Ghanaian?’ The homophobic community of Ghana is like, ‘How dare you? You are a sinner. You are less of a person than me because I am a better person. How dare you ask for rights when this state I live in doesn't guarantee me or doesn't give me the rights that I deserve, even if I am being a good person.' So I feel that that indignation is at play,” he said.

Wanlov the Kubolor's remarks contribute to the ongoing discourse concerning the Anti-LGBT+ Bill and its implications for human rights in Ghana.

About the bill

According to the Anti-LGBT+ Bill, individuals engaged in LGBT+ activities could face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years, while those promoting or sponsoring such activities could be sentenced to three to five years in jail.

President Akufo-Addo has postponed his determination on signing the Bill into law, citing a constitutional challenge in the Supreme Court.

However, even if he opts against it, Members of Parliament hold the authority to override the president's decision with a two-thirds majority vote, thereby making the Bill's provisions legally binding.

He made a bold statement about the rumours that may circulate about him in the media.

When asked if he had heard any strange or untrue rumours about himself, Wanlov confidently replied that he had not.

In a recent interview with Doreen Abanema Abayaa on Talkertainment, Wanlov did not attribute this to any particular lack of interest or attention from the public.

Rather, he suggested that the reality of his life is so unusual and unexpected that any rumours or stories people might invent about him would pale in comparison.

"I don't think people make up facts about me. I think my fact is stranger than the fiction. The fact of my life, the reality, is stranger than the stories that people can create about me,” " Wanlov explained.

During the interview, the artist delved into his role as a pro-gay activist, highlighting his active involvement in fighting for the rights of people he believes are being suppressed.

Wanlov emphasized that queer people are no different from anyone else and deserve to live their lives free of discrimination and oppression.

He has jabbed the government over what he describes as poor management of the economy which has resulted in Ghana retrogressing instead of progressing after 65 years of independence.

The artiste who used to rock long dreadlocks decided to crop his hair leaving just a single lock at the centre of his head. Many have wondered about the inspiration behind his look.

Wanlov, known for his 'weird' fashion sense has disclosed that his hairstyle was inspired by the 'failed' state.

Making a submission on CTV with Larry Bozzlz, Wanlov made a mockery of Ghana's current situation that has witnessed citizens call for action and plans to rescue the economy.

He said: "I feel like this is a representation of Ghana...backwards plenty (pointing to his longest dreadlock). That is the hairstyle, forward small, backward plenty."