International Relations Analyst Dr. Nana Yaw Mireku says Ghana must prioritise its domestic values and national interests over fears of international backlash as debate intensifies over the recently passed Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, widely known as the Anti‑LGBTQ Bill.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Big Issue on Saturday, May 30, Dr. Mireku argued that discussions around the bill have been overly shaped by concerns about how the international community—particularly donor countries—might react.
He stressed that while aid‑related considerations often surface in policy debates, Ghana must not allow external pressure to override its sovereign right to make decisions rooted in its own cultural and moral frameworks.
“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 said.
Dr. Mireku added that the central question should not be how Ghana is perceived globally, but whether the country is acting in line with its long‑term national principles and priorities. He warned against what he called the “trap of global politics,” insisting that sovereign states must be willing to make independent policy choices—even when such decisions attract scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Parliament has passed the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, introducing criminal sanctions for LGBTQ‑related activities. The approved version includes several amendments that exempt specific professional groups from punishment.
Under the revised provisions:
- Lawyers representing LGBTQ persons will not face sanctions.
- Journalists and media organisations reporting on LGBTQ‑related matters in the course of their work are exempt.
- Medical professionals, including those offering surgical, psychological, counselling and related services, are also shielded from penalties.
The bill continues to generate intense national and international debate, with discussions now centred on both its substance and its broader implications for Ghana’s global relations.
— Citi Newsroom
