Deputy Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, James Gyakye Quayson, has firmly declared his opposition to LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana, stating categorically that he would never support such practices.
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Friday, July 25, the Assin North MP was clear about where he stands on the matter.
“As a true African, I’m not in support of LGBTQ,” he said. “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.”
Quayson stressed that his values, shaped by his African identity and personal experiences, are deeply at odds with the concept of LGBTQ+ rights and any attempt to legalize or promote them in Ghana.
This comes just days after Trobu MP Gloria Owusu came under intense public criticism for controversial remarks she made during a campaign event in Ablekuma North.
In a video that quickly went viral, the lawmaker claimed that the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) was plotting to unseat the incumbent NPP candidate, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, allegedly to help former President John Dramani Mahama gain control of Parliament and push through constitutional amendments.
“John Dramani Mahama wants to amend the constitution to give him a third term; hence, the need to get two more seats to be able to execute his agenda of holding on to power after his tenure has elapsed,” Owusu alleged.
She further claimed that Mahama, if handed more parliamentary power, would legalize homosexuality in Ghana—something she vehemently opposed.
“When we were in power, they said we wanted to introduce LGBTQI+, but since they came, have you seen that they have been silent on it? Even during a meeting at the AU, they decided to abstain from voting against it.
“So if you give Mahama the two additional seats, he will have absolute power to introduce LGBTQI+ in Ghana, and that is not what we want. So vote for Akua Afriyie,” she urged constituents.
Owusu’s remarks were widely condemned as fear-mongering and misinformation.
