Okaikwei Central MP Patrick Boamah has lambasted President John Dramani Mahama’s administration for Ghana’s abstention in a United Nations Human Rights Council vote on July 7, 2025, to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert on Protection Against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (A/HRC/59/L.2). Speaking in an interview with Citi FM on July 9, 2025, Boamah described the decision as “shocking,” insisting that the government should have voted against the resolution to affirm Ghana’s conservative values.
He believes that the abstention is shocking and would have preferred the Mahama-led government to vote against the resolution to show a clear stance in line with Ghanaian national values. The resolution, which passed with 29 votes in favor, 15 against, and Ghana among three abstaining nations, has sparked debate amid ongoing discussions about the “PHuman Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill.”
The bill, reintroduced in February 2025, seeks to criminalize same-sex relationships, advocacy, and related activities. Supported by a 2023 survey showing 86% public approval, it has drawn international criticism and warnings of economic consequences, including the potential loss of $3.8 billion in World Bank funding.In a July 9 press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended the abstention, stating it aligns with Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, which defines gender as male or female, and clarified that the vote concerned protection from violence and discrimination, not endorsing LGBTQ+ rights. The Ministry reiterated the government’s opposition to such rights, citing public sentiment.
Boamah’s sharp criticism highlights growing discontent among some lawmakers who view the abstention as a failure to uphold Ghana’s cultural identity. The Mahama administration now faces pressure to address these concerns while balancing domestic expectations with international diplomacy.
Rightify Ghana 