Ghana clarifies abstention on SOGI vote at UN Human Rights Council

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has clarified Ghana’s decision to abstain from voting on the renewal of the mandate of the Independent Expert on Protection against Violence and Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) during the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC59).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, 9 July, the Ministry stressed that Ghana’s abstention, recorded on Monday, July 7, 2025, should not be misconstrued as support for LGBTQI rights, as reported by some local and international media outlets. Rather, the decision was grounded in the country’s constitutional provisions and long-held cultural values.

The Ministry cited Chapter 5, Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, and other social or economic considerations. It explained that Ghana’s vote was aimed solely at endorsing efforts to protect all individuals from violence and discrimination, and not at promoting or legitimising LGBTQI rights.

Addressing the Council, Ghana’s Permanent Representative reaffirmed the country’s traditional perspective on gender, describing it as strictly binary — male and female — in accordance with Ghana’s social, cultural, and policy frameworks. The envoy further underscored that this position reflects the views of the majority of Ghanaians, as well as the government’s consistent opposition to the legal recognition of LGBTQI rights.

Despite Ghana’s abstention, the resolution was adopted, thereby extending the mandate of the Independent Expert to continue annual reporting to both the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly on measures to combat violence and discrimination worldwide.

The Ministry urged media organisations to present Ghana’s position accurately and avoid misinterpretations that could mislead the public. It reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to upholding national values while remaining faithful to its constitutional obligations.

This clarification follows heightened public interest and debate over Ghana’s posture on global human rights issues, particularly matters related to gender and sexuality. The government reassured citizens that its international engagements would continue to reflect the collective will and cultural values of the Ghanaian people.

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