By: Deborah Amewoyi
In a poll that was conducted on July 7, 2025, the Republic of Ghana amongst 2 member state countries decided to abstain from the polls on LGBTQ rights.
The United Nations Human Right Council had called for a 3 years renewal of the rights of persons with various sexual orientations under the LGBTQ to be respected within the various member state countries under the United Nations globally.
During the election, Ghana was amongst the three countries who voted neither yes nor no in the polls but rather abstained. The remaining two are Benin and Kyrgyzstan. Meanwhile, 29 member states supported the renewal, hence voted in favour whilst 15 other member states opposed.
Ghana’s stance in abstaining from the elections on the LGBTQ rights throws significant light on the country’s intentions to criminalize the
several sexual orientations aside being a male or a female.
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin in May this year touched on his renewed commitment to reintroduce the Human Sexual Rights and Family Value Bill porpularly referred to as the ‘anti – gay bill’ in parliament for deliberations and presidential assent. Significantly, the human right bill was passed in parliament in 2024 awaiting presidential assent before the change in government.
The bill which intends to criminalizes lesbianism, Gay, and the various LGBTQ gender associations when passed will see persons identified with the LGBTQ genders served with six months to 3 years jail sentence whilst sponsors of the sexual orientations to face a 3 to 5 years jail term.
Aside Ghana, the United States of America since the assumption of office by US president, Donald Trump has also seen strong opposition to the recognition of LGBTQ genders accross various sectors within the states. Trumps upon assuming office in January, 2025
signed an executive order barring transgender inmates from accessing US prisons for female inmates.
Despite Ghana’s abstinence from the polls, per the 29 majority votes, the UN have renewed the mandate calling on the protection of gay rights further encouraging member States countries to abide by the law accordingly.
See vote counts recorded below;
