The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided clarification regarding the recent vote by the country at the 59th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC59), in response to extensive media reports that inaccurately portrayed the nation’s position on LGBTQI matters.
According to the Ministry, Ghana did not cast a vote concerning LGBTQI rights, as implied by certain media outlets, but rather abstained from a resolution pertaining to the renewal of the mandate of the Independent Expert on Protection Against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI).
The Ministry underscored that the matter presented to the Council was not about endorsing LGBTQI rights, but rather about whether individuals identifying as LGBTQI should receive protection from violence and discrimination.
“Ghana abstained from the vote to align with Chapter 5, Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution, which explicitly forbids discrimination based on gender, race, color, ethnic origin, religion, creed, or social and economic status,” the statement indicated.
The resolution from which Ghana abstained requested that the Independent Expert continue to provide annual reports to both the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly regarding the execution of their mandate.
In articulating Ghana’s position during the Council session, the country’s Permanent Representative remarked:
“Our interpretation of the traditional definition of gender encompasses the male and female sexes, particularly when viewed in light of social and cultural distinctions. Likewise, we perceive sex as referring to either of the two primary categories (male and female) into which humans and most other living organisms are classified, utilized for statistical purposes, and policy evaluation.”
The Ministry reiterated its awareness of the general opposition among the Ghanaian public towards LGBTQI issues and reaffirmed the government’s firm stance against any policy or action that could potentially undermine this position.
