Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to widespread media reports about Ghana’s abstention from a United Nations Human Rights Council vote on protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from violence.
The report indicated that the vote was to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Furthermore, the mandate is said to remind states of their obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights of people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
The vote took place on July 7, 2025, during the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council and was renewed despite Ghana’s abstention.
Addressing the claims on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, the ministry clarified that there was no vote calling for support on LGBTQ+ and its activities.
“There was no vote on the support of LGBTQI for which Ghana abstained as has been wrongly reported by a section of the Ghanaian media.
“On Monday, 7th July 2025, Ghana abstained from the HRC’s vote on the renewal of the Mandate of the Independent Expert on Protection Against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity,” the statement explained.
The statement explained that the council voted on whether persons who identify as LGBTQI should be protected against violence and discrimination or not.
It indicated that the decision to abstain was consistent with the country’s human rights principles.
“The question before the Council was whether persons who identify as LGBTQI should be protected against violence and discrimination or not. It was not about support for 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,” it said.
The statement added, “The resolution requests the Independent Expert to continue to report annually on the implementation of the mandate to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly in accordance with their respective programmes of work.”
The Ministry assured that it will neither undermine nor compromise the country’s principles, given its strong opposition to issues related to LGBTQI practices and activities.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is very mindful of the Ghanaian public’s general opposition and the Government’s strong stance against the subject of LGBTQI rights and will not act in any manner to undermine this position.”
Read the statement below:
MAG/MA
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