Deputy Minister-designate of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, James Gyakye Quayson, has stated his firm stance against LGBTQ activities in Ghana, stating that he will not support any effort to promote or legalise such practices.

Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Friday, July 25,2025, he said his position is anchored in deeply held cultural and personal values, developed over the years both in Ghana and during his four decades of living in Canada.

“As a true African, I’m not in support of LGBTQ. I was in Canada when LGBTQ was liberalised, but I was one of the people who campaigned against it. So, I will never be in support of it,” he stated.

Quayson added that his views are shared by the majority of Ghanaians and are consistent with traditional African values, which he said do not accept same-sex relationships.

His comments come as Ghana continues to debate the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, widely known as the anti-LGBTQ bill, which was introduced in Parliament in 2021 by a bipartisan group of lawmakers.

The bill seeks to criminalise not only same-sex sexual activity which is already prohibited under existing laws but also the advocacy, funding, and promotion of LGBTQ-related causes.

It outlines penalties including imprisonment for individuals who identify as LGBTQ or are involved in LGBTQ advocacy, as well as stricter sanctions for those who promote related content or organisations.

While the proposed bill has received widespread support from the general public, religious leaders, and traditional authorities, it has also drawn strong criticism from international human rights organisations and foreign governments.

Critics argue that the bill infringes on fundamental human rights such as freedom of expression, identity, and association.

Supporters of the bill on the other hand, maintain that it is necessary to uphold Ghana’s cultural values, protect children, and preserve the traditional family system.

The bill has faced delays due to legal challenges and concerns about its compatibility with Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

MRA/VPO

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