The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has accused the government of displaying double standards on LGBTQ+ issues following Ghana’s decision to abstain from a recent United Nations Human Rights Council vote.
Mr Jinapor, who is also the MP for Damongo, said the government’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 (IE SOGI) amounted to tacit support for an agenda that contradicts Ghana’s cultural values.
In a statement, he described the abstention as “a clear manifestation of double standards on LGBTQ issues and the promotion of Ghanaian family values.”
He challenged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ defence that the vote was solely about protecting individuals from violence, calling the explanation misleading.
“The question was not whether to protect LGBTQI persons from violence and discrimination. It was about extending the mandate of the IE SOGI, which pushes for decriminalisation of LGBTQ practices and undermines national laws that reflect our cultural identity,” Mr Jinapor said.
The Damongo MP emphasised that Ghana’s Criminal Code already prohibits certain LGBTQ practices, and argued that the country’s foreign policy must not contradict its domestic legal framework.
He cited the IE SOGI’s April 2025 report, which called on states to repeal laws that criminalise LGBTQ practices, as clear evidence of the broader agenda Ghana failed to oppose.
He also pointed out that several African countries voted against the resolution, thereby making their rejection of the controversial mandate explicit.
“It cannot be that countries voting against the IE SOGI’s mandate condone violence against LGBTQ persons. Rather, they oppose any attempt to erode their cultural and family values,” Mr Jinapor argued.
He criticised the government’s continued reluctance to take a firm stance on LGBTQ issues, citing its failure to present the Anti-Gay Bill before Parliament as further evidence of inconsistency.
“It is disappointing that on two separate occasions, this government has failed to join other like-minded countries to defend our norms and values internationally,” he said.
While condemning violence and discrimination against any individual, Mr Jinapor reaffirmed the Minority’s commitment to upholding Ghana’s cultural identity and urged the public to do the same.
“We remain committed to the integrity of our nation and urge all well-meaning Ghanaians to join us in defending our family values both at home and abroad,” he stated.
