Following extensive media coverage that misconstrued the country’s position on LGBTQI matters, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided clarification on the country’s recent vote at the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC59).
According to the Ministry, Ghana abstained from a resolution on the renewal of the mandate of the Independent Expert on Protection Against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI), but did not vote on LGBTQI rights as some media outlets had suggested.
The Ministry emphasized that the question on the Council’s agenda was whether or not those who identify as LGBTQI should be shielded from discrimination and violence, not whether or not they should promote LGBTQI rights.
“Ghana abstained in the vote, to be consistent with Chapter 5, Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution, which specifically prohibits discrimination on the grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed, or social and economic status,” the statement read.
Ghana abstained from the resolution, which called on the Independent Expert to keep reporting to the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council on how their mandate is being carried out on an annual basis.
