Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has dismissed what he calls “misleading media reports” suggesting that Ghana compromised its stance on LGBTQ+ issues by abstaining from a recent United Nations vote.
Speaking at a commissioning ceremony for Ghana’s new representative to UNESCO, the Minister clarified that the vote in question held on July 7, 2025, at the UN Human Rights Council was not about endorsing or rejecting homosexuality, but rather about extending the mandate of independent human rights experts.
“The motion before the international organisation had nothing to do with a human rights question (on LGBTQ+ rights). It was a question of extending the tenure of some experts on the Human Rights Council.”
He emphasized that Ghana’s abstention was consistent with its broader human rights principles and not a reflection of any shift in national values.
“Let’s get it clear, there was no vote on support for LGBTQ+ for which Ghana abstained. Our ambassador in Geneva has clarified that the vote was about violence against women and persons of various sexual orientations. Ghana decided to abstain, consistent with our human rights credentials.”
The Minister questioned the logic of opposing a resolution aimed at protecting vulnerable groups.
“Why would you want to endorse violence against women in particular?”, he quizzed.
