A Muslim cleric in Ghana has defended rising attacks on homosexuals in the country after claiming gay sex 'disgusts Allah' and 'causes earthquakes'.

Mallam Abass Mahmud made the comments amid reports of heightened hostility among Zongo communities in Kumasi and the capital Accra towards people in same-sex relationships.

He said in an interview: 'Allah gets annoyed when males engage in sexual encounter and such disgusting encounter causes earthquake.'

According to News Ghana, a number of gay men have fled their homes after becoming 'afraid to disclose their sexual preferences for fear of attacks'.