International Relations Analyst, Dr Nana Yaw Mireku, has urged Ghana to prioritise its domestic values over fears of international backlash as debate continues over the recently passed Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, popularly known as the Anti-LGBTQ Bill.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Big Issue on Saturday, May 30, Dr Mireku said the debate surrounding the legislation had been overly influenced by fears of possible pushback from the international community, including concerns over aid and funding conditions.
He stressed that while such considerations are often raised in policy discussions, Ghana must prioritise its own national values and interests over external pressure.
“Every country worth its salt has domestic values to project. We can’t always tie our sovereignty to conditional aid, otherwise your sovereignty is basically irrelevant,” he stated.
Dr Mireku further noted that the key issue should not be how Ghana is perceived globally, but whether the country is making decisions that align with its own principles and long-term national interests.
He cautioned against what he described as a “trap of global politics,” arguing that sovereign states must be willing to make independent policy choices even when they attract external scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Parliament has passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, commonly referred to as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill.
The legislation seeks to criminalise LGBTQ-related activities, and was approved with a number of amendments that introduce exemptions for certain categories of professionals.
Under the revised provisions, lawyers offering legal representation to persons identified as LGBTQ will not face sanctions, while journalists and media organisations reporting on related issues in the course of their work are also exempt.
Medical professionals, including those providing surgical, psychological and counselling services to LGBTQ persons, are likewise excluded from punishment under the law.
