Trans artist admits ‘affair’ claim with Ghana MP was satire to expose anti-LGBTQ+ bill
Angel Maxine and MP John Ntim Fordjour (Instagram/angelmaxinetv | X/NtimFordjour)
Ghanaian trans artist Angel Maxine has revealed that her viral claims of being in a relationship with MP John Ntim Fordjour were never meant to be taken literally; they were a deliberate act of satire to highlight the risks posed by the proposed Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.
The controversial bill, which is currently moving through the government, seeks to not only criminalise same-sex relationships with harsher penalties but also target the “promotion” of LGBTQ+ identities, as well as incentivise public accusations of Ghanaians who are thought to be in queer relationships.
Earlier in April, Maxine made multiple social media posts claiming that MP John Ntim Fordjour, who supports the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, is her lover. These claims quickly gained traction online and in the media, even escalating to the subject being introduced on the floor of Parliament two weeks ago.
Afterwards, Fordjour addressed Maxine’s claims on television, categorically denying he had ever met the artist and expressing confusion as to why she would claim they were engaged in a romantic relationship.
In a 28 April statement posted to her Instagram, Maxine revealed her claims were intended as satire – a tool which she sought to use to better highlight how harmful the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill would be to all Ghanaians.
Maxine said the legislation creates a culture where “ordinary lives become a matter for criminal suspicion,” putting both queer people and the wider public at risk.
She pointed out that the posts, which sparked widespread backlash and media frenzy, were designed to demonstrate how easily accusations can spiral under a law that encourages suspicion and reporting.
By naming a high-profile politician in her posts, Maxine said she wanted to show how damaging even unverified claims can be – especially in an environment where accusations carry legal and social consequences. She showed that if such allegations could shake a powerful public figure with access to legal protection, the impact on everyday people would be far more severe.
Maxine has refused to retract her statements, with her legal team defending them as protected political commentary. Instead, she’s calling for dialogue – urging Fordjour and other supporters of the bill to reflect on its broader implications for dignity, safety, and human rights.
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
