Ranking Member of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has sharply criticised the Government of Ghana over what he calls a betrayal of national values following the country’s abstention from a crucial vote on LGBTQ rights at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Reacting to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ attempt to explain Ghana’s abstention, the Damongo MP accused the government of engaging in deceptive diplomacy and failing to uphold the principles it once championed.
“The Caucus notes with regret the Government’s double standards on the issue of LGBTQ and the Ministry’s attempt to rationalise such double standards,” Jinapor stated.
According to him, the Ministry’s justification — that the vote was about protection against violence and discrimination — is false. He clarified that the resolution in question was to extend the mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (IE SOGI), whose work includes promoting LGBTQ rights globally.
He argued that supporting such a mandate contradicts the government’s earlier position while in opposition, when it openly supported the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill.
“The statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is totally misleading,” Jinapor declared. “This was not a vote on violence or discrimination, but on extending the tenure of a person whose role includes advocating for LGBTQ rights, including decriminalisation.”
He further rejected any claim that Ghana’s abstention is consistent with the Constitution, stating that Article 17 — which speaks on equality — does not validate sexual orientation or gender identity as protected rights under Ghanaian law.
“Fundamental human rights are subject to public interest,” he stressed, citing Article 12 of the Constitution. “It cannot be correct that this abstention aligns with our legal framework or public morality.”
Jinapor pointed to the April 2025 report by the Independent Expert, which called on countries to eliminate criminal laws against LGBTQ practices — a stance he says directly conflicts with Ghana’s cultural and legal stance.
He accused the government of lacking the courage to defend Ghana’s values on international platforms.
“It is disappointing that on two separate occasions, this Government has failed to align with like-minded countries in rejecting foreign pressure to embrace values that go against our societal norms,” he said.
Jinapor also criticised the government’s failure to lay the anti-LGBTQ bill before Parliament for final passage, suggesting a deliberate pattern of avoidance on such sensitive issues.
He concluded by reaffirming the Minority’s stance:
“While we oppose violence against any individual, including persons who identify as LGBTQ, we remain fully committed to defending Ghana’s values at home and abroad. We urge the public to stand with us in upholding the moral and cultural integrity of our country.”
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