The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has expressed disagreement with Ghana’s decision to abstain from a vote at the 59th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC59).
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the question before the Council on Monday, July 7, was whether persons who identify as LGBTQI should be protected against violence and discrimination.
The ministry clarified that the vote, contrary to speculation, was not about supporting LGBTQI rights.
“Ghana abstained in the vote to be consistent with Chapter 5, Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution, which specifically prohibits discrimination on the grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed, or social and economic status,” the ministry explained in a statement dated July 9.
Reacting to this, Sam George, who was the lead sponsor of the now-expired anti-gay bill, acknowledged Ghana’s position that it recognises only male and female genders.
In a social media post on Thursday, July 10, the Ningo-Prampram MP, however, noted that he “cannot in good conscience understand the decision to abstain in the subsequent vote.”
He stressed, “That vote is in conflict with Ghana’s espoused position and my conscience. We MUST at all times make our position clear and unambiguous.”
