Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George’s view on members of the LGBT community in Ghana and their allies during former President Mahama’s regime in 2012 differs from the current stance in 2024 which aims to challenge the current economic system under a different administration.
During an interview in 2012 on JoyNews about the politics of gay rights, he stated emphatically that, the Ghanaian constitution enjoins that everybody has rights on their preference and whatever they believe to engage in.
As to why he has had a change of mind, eagerly pushing for such a controversial Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Act passed, and further pushing for President Akufo-Addo to assent it into law brings to light a hypocritical stand during a different government regime.
“I believe that this matter has been overflogged and it’s been pushed just to suit as a thing, parochial political agenda. See irrespective of my personal opinion on homosexuals, the constitution of this country remains supreme. And the constitution of this country enjoins that everybody has rights, and their rights must be protected. It’s one of the preambles to the constitution of Ghana. “
He continued, “We must speak about issues which are of necessity to the Ghanaian people. The amount of airtime we have wasted, I called it wasted not spent, wasted, talking about gays, when we have pertinent issues of water, pertinent issues of power, and potential petrol prices going up. Look those are the things that bother everybody! They don’t care whether the president's (Mahama) friend, who published his book is gay.”
The shock
His words align with the human rights advocates at the moment in this country.
For the majority of people in Ghana, it’s shocking to witness that Sam George is now one of the main sponsors of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Act, so so-called anti-LGBTQ+ Bill.
Critics argue that the legislation may have been strategically crafted to serve a political agenda.
The Church's Role
Sam George's tactics extend beyond the legislative realm as he attempts to leverage the influence of the church to pressure the president into assenting to the bill.
Critics argue that this approach borders on blackmailing. Furthermore, various other bishops have warned of the potentially severe consequences of such a law.
Presidential Call
In conclusion, the trajectory of Sam George’s political journey from championing human rights to sponsoring the anti-LGBTQ Bill raises important questions about his motivations and the potential consequences for Ghana.
The president now faces a crucial decision, one that will not only impact the nation's democratic values but also its standing in tourism, economy, international relations, cohesion, solidarity, and the celebration of diversity. It is imperative for the president to carefully consider the broader implications and safeguard the foundational principles that underpin a democracy and a secure nation.
Watch video below
@theannouncergh #theaanouncergh #fypシ #fypシ゚viral #tiktokghana?? #ghanatiktok?? #lgbtq #lgbt? #lgbt?️? ♬ original sound - theannouncergh
