The Centre for Democratic Movement (CDM) has strongly criticized Ghana’s decision to abstain from a recent United Nations vote on LGBTQ+ rights, calling the move “troubling” and demanding an immediate explanation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a statement issued on July 15, the advocacy group condemned what it described as “unacceptable opacity” surrounding Ghana’s stance, urging officials to disclose the consultations that informed the abstention and to clarify the country’s official position.
“The government must come clean,” the statement read. “Ghanaians deserve to know who was consulted before taking this ambiguous position at the United Nations.”
The CDM also called on the parliamentary majority, led by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to expedite the passage of the controversial Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill. It urged lawmakers to avoid what it termed “political posturing” and to act decisively in defense of Ghana’s cultural values.
“Upholding human dignity is not the same as surrendering cultural sovereignty,” the group said. “Our sovereignty is not for sale.”
The CDM maintained its opposition to any form of violence against LGBTQ+ individuals but emphasized that Ghana has the right to assert its moral framework within global discourse. The organization appealed to religious leaders, traditional authorities, and civil society to take a stand on the international stage.
“Our silence must never be mistaken for consent,” the statement concluded, framing the issue as a matter of national self-determination and cultural preservation.
Ghana’s abstention has stirred debate both at home and abroad, highlighting the deep divisions over LGBTQ+ rights within the country and across the continent. The government has not yet issued an official response to the CDM’s demands.
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