False! Ghana’s Presidency has not endorsed LGBTQI+

Claims suggesting that Ghana’s Presidency has endorsed gay rights have been trending on social media since the morning of March 27, 2023. A member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Eric Adjei, also made similar claims this morning on Accra-based UTV.

The Jubilee House was branded in LGBTQ colours to welcome Kamala Harris – Eric Adjei #AdekyeNsroma pic.twitter.com/ntb6qdbL4m

— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) March 27, 2023

The trends and claims follow the emergence of images of the Jubilee House, the seat of Ghana’s presidency, having been illuminated with colours many consider to be the rainbow, a symbol recognised as gay pride.

The seat of Ghana government, the Jubilee house was lit in gay colours yesterday. 🌈 Aww )man Ghana.😢 I prefer not to speak again. If I speak again, I'm in big trouble.🤐 pic.twitter.com/YRGXoCKj0Q

— Kweku Boye📯 🇬🇭 (@BoyeKweku) March 27, 2023

However, the Presidency explains to Fact-Check Ghana that the Jubilee House was illuminated with the colours of the flags of the United States of America (USA) and Ghana in honour of US Vice President, Kamala Harris’ visit to the country and not an endorsement of LGBTQI+.

“It was very clear. To the right is the colour of Ghana’s flag and to the left is the flag of the United States. It has nothing to do with LGBTQ+,” Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at the office of the Presidency told Fact-Check Ghana.

Further checks by Fact-Check Ghana on the colour scheme of the illumination of the Jubilee House indeed affirm the response of the Presidency. Photos of the illumination clearly show the display of the colours of the US  – blue, white and red- on the right side and Ghana’s red, gold and green on the left. Also, the main colours of the rainbow are seven including orange and indigo, both of which are missing in the illumination.

It is therefore false that Ghana’s Presidency is endorsing LGBTQI because of the illumination of the Jubilee House.