Ghana's former Ambassador Defends Ghana's Abstention in SOGIESC Mandate vote

Ambassador Smith: Ghana will not be coerced on LGBTQ+ policy

By Melanie Nathan, August 10, 2025.

On July 7, 2025, during the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC59) in Geneva, Ghana abstained from voting on the resolution to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (IE SOGI). The resolution, numbered A/HRC/59/L.5, was adopted with 30 votes in favor, 15 against, and 3 abstentions, including Ghana .

Ghana’s former Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Victor Smith, has defended the country’s decision to abstain from the vote concerning LGBTQ+ rights, amid growing criticism from the political opposition and civil society groups.

The government’s abstention has sparked debate in Ghana, with the minority in Parliament and several civil society organizations (CSOs) condemning the move as a failure to uphold human rights and a lack of commitment to the global consensus.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Channel One TV’s Christopher Kevin Asima, Ambassador Smith maintained that Ghana’s decision reflects its sovereign right to determine its own cultural and moral path.

“When I was in England, the same issue about LGBTQ came up,” he recounted. “We are a sovereign country and we do not kowtow to another country’s culture. We do not do that here. So, we will make it clear to you where Ghana stands vis-à-vis a certain policy or culture.”

He stressed that Ghana’s position is not a new one, stating, “As far as I have been in politics, we have said that nobody is going to coerce us to adopt any culture that is non-Ghanaian. And it is simple.”

Ambassador Smith also sought to downplay concerns that Ghana’s position could strain diplomatic relations with key partners. However Ghana did not vote "no" outright, which does reflects an attempt to preserve such relationships.

He cited his personal rapport with former US Ambassador to Ghana, Stephanie Sullivan, as an example of how mutual respect can prevail despite differences.

“There are other issues that need to be dealt with,” he noted. “The former US Ambassador to Ghana is still friends with Ghana. She was in my house for a send-off party. Even with that, she speaks her mind, and I also speak mine. That is how I operate.”