The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a clarification regarding Ghana’s vote at the 59th Session of the Human Rights Council, emphasizing that its abstention does not signal a shift in government policy on LGBTQI matters.
According to a statement, Ghana’s vote concerned the renewal of the mandate of the Independent Expert on Protection Against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI), and not support for LGBTQI rights.
“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,” the release issued by the ministry stated.
The Ministry underscored that its abstention aligns with the 1992 Constitution.
“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 explained.
During the Council Session, the Permanent Representative of Ghana elaborated on the government’s interpretation of gender and sex.
“Our understanding of the traditional definition of gender is the male sex or female sex, especially when considered with reference to social and cultural differences.
“Similarly, sex in our view refers to either of the two main categories (male and female) into which humans and most other living things are divided and used for statistical purposes and policy monitoring.”
The Ministry reaffirmed the Government’s enduring position on LGBTQI rights and acting rightfully to avoid undermining its stance.
“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,” the statement concluded.
This reiteration comes amid widespread media commentary and public debate over Ghana’s role in international LGBTQI-related resolutions. The Ministry has called on all media houses to reflect the facts accurately.
