The Minority Caucus has condemned government’s decision to abstain from a crucial vote on LGBTQ issues at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The NPP MPs described the move as a betrayal of Ghanaian values and a worrying sign of indifference.
Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and Damongo MP, Samuel Abu Jinapor, issued the criticism in a press statement, warning that “abstention is complicity.”
Mr. Jinapor said the abstention, which occurred during the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, amounted to tacit support for the controversial mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (IE SOGI).
He argued that by choosing not to vote, Ghana lost an opportunity to affirm its position on LGBTQ issues.
“Ghana returned to the Human Rights Council in January 2024, and had the opportunity at this 59th Session of the Council to make a statement in respect of her position on LGBTQ, through the vote on the resolution to extend the mandate of the IE SOGI, but again, chose to abstain,” he stated.
He criticised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ explanation that the vote was only about protecting people from violence and discrimination.
“The statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that ‘the question before the Council was whether persons who identify as LGBTQI should be protected against violence and discrimination or not’ is totally false,” Jinapor said.
“The question before the Council was whether to extend the mandate of the IE SOGI… which invariably includes the promotion of LGBTQ.”
He pointed out that many African countries voted against the resolution, not because they condone violence, but because they oppose the underlying agenda.
“It cannot be the case that the several countries that have consistently voted against the mandate support violence or discrimination against the LGBTQ community; they oppose LGBTQ simpliciter.”
Jinapor reminded Ghanaians that the same mandate Ghana failed to oppose seeks to eliminate laws that protect Ghanaian cultural values.
“In his 17th April, 2025 Report presented to the Human Rights Council, for instance, IE SOGI urges that ‘States should end the practices of de jure and de facto criminalisation’ of LGBTQ.”
He challenged the Government’s justification that Chapter Five of the Constitution constrained its position.
“It cannot, also, be correct that Ghana abstained from the vote because of Chapter Five of the Constitution. Nothing in article 17 of the Constitution cited by the Ministry supports individual choice of sexual orientation or gender identity.”
He said Ghana’s abstention showed the Government’s “indifference to proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values,” and cited the failure to pass the Anti-Gay Bill as further proof.
“The Government’s failure to lay the Anti-Gay Bill in Parliament for it to be passed into law, and its consistent abstinence from votes relating to LGBTQ is a clear manifestation of its double standards on LGBTQ issues and the promotion of Ghanaian family values.”
Mr. Jinapor stressed that Ghana’s criminal code already prohibits certain LGBTQ practices and said the Government must reflect those laws in its international stance.
“It is, therefore, disappointing that on two separate occasions, this very Government has failed to join other like-minded countries to project these Ghanaian values and norms at the international level.”
He concluded that while the Minority does not support violence against any individual, including those who identify as LGBTQ, they remain committed to defending Ghana’s cultural identity.
“We remain committed to upholding the integrity of our nation and defending her norms, values and practices, both home and abroad, and urge the general public to join us on this noble cause for people and country.”
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