Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has dismissed reports alleging that Ghana compromised its stance on LGBTQ+ issues by abstaining from a recent United Nations vote.
In statement issued by the Ministry on Wednesday, July 9, Mr. Ablakwa clarified that the motion before the UN was not a vote on homosexuality or LGBTQ+ rights, but rather on the renewal of the mandate for an independent expert on the protection of individuals against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
According to the minister, Ghana’s abstention was consistent with the country’s long-standing human rights commitments and constitutional provisions, not an endorsement of LGBTQ+ advocacy.
He explained that Ghana’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva had submitted a full report indicating that the vote was part of a broader human rights agenda that included protecting women and vulnerable groups from violence.
“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 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,” Mr. Ablakwa noted.
The clarification comes in response to public criticism and misinformation following Ghana’s decision to abstain from a vote during the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC59) held on July 7, 2025.
The resolution in question sought to extend the mandate of the Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI).
Mr. Ablakwa added that the government’s position against the LGBTQ+ stands still.
Find below the statement
