Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister-designate, James Gyakye Quayson, has publicly reaffirmed his opposition to LGBTQ+ advocacy, citing cultural values and personal convictions during his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, July 25.
“As a true African, I’m not in support of LGBTQ. I was in Canada when LGBTQ was liberalised… I campaigned against it,” Quayson stated, referencing his four-decade-long stay in Canada.
The Assin North MP emphasized that his position is grounded in Ghanaian traditions and societal norms, expressing strong alignment with the sentiments underpinning the controversial Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ bill.
The proposed legislation, first introduced in 2021, seeks to criminalize not only same-sex relations—which are already illegal under Ghanaian law—but also the promotion, advocacy, or public support of LGBTQ+ rights. It has sparked intense national and international debate over human rights, freedom of expression, and constitutional protections.
Mr. Quayson reiterated that despite his exposure to diverse cultures abroad, his position remains consistent with what he described as the values of the Ghanaian majority.
“Our traditions don’t support it, and I stand by our cultural values,” he said.
The anti-LGBTQ bill has garnered widespread support from religious bodies, traditional authorities, and sections of the public. However, it has also attracted criticism from human rights organizations and foreign diplomats who view it as a threat to civil liberties.
In February 2024, then-President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo declined to assent to the bill after it was passed by Parliament, citing constitutional concerns and the need for further review.
As public and legislative debate continues, Gyakye Quayson’s comments further spotlight the deeply polarizing nature of the issue in Ghana’s political discourse.
