Ghana’s Parliament is once again the battleground for a controversial anti-LGBTQ bill, revived not by executive fiat but by a group of lawmakers led by Ningo-Prampram MP Sam Nartey George. The legislation, which has drawn sharp criticism from rights groups and international observers, is being reintroduced as a private member’s bill—underscoring its backers’ determination to see it through.
Mr. George, who also serves as the country’s Minister for Communications, reaffirmed his commitment to advancing what he describes as “Ghanaian family values,” despite hesitation from top members of the political establishment. Speaking Tuesday evening on Joy News’ PM Express, he declared the bill’s reintroduction as a matter of duty—not just to his constituents, but to the traditional leaders who supported his political ascent.
“Four weeks and a few days ago, together with some of my colleagues, we reintroduced the bill,” Mr. George said. “I have kept my fidelity and my promise to the Ghanaian people.”
According to George, former President John Mahama had preferred that the government reintroduce the legislation itself, but the lawmaker indicated that such preferences could not override his obligations to his community. “At my vetting, I was asked that question. My chiefs were sitting behind me, and I made the point clear,” he said. “I owe fidelity to my chiefs and my people.”
Mr. George emphasized that the reintroduced bill is identical to the version passed by the previous Parliament, asserting that its continuity should expedite its passage. “We have not changed a single word. This is the same bill that the eighth Parliament approved and passed,” he said.
He also pointed to procedural delays, noting that the relevant parliamentary committees were only recently reconstituted following Parliament’s dissolution. Unlike in the past, the bill now falls under the purview of a newly established committee for private members’ bills—another factor slowing its progress through legislative channels.
“We’re not reinventing the wheel,” Mr. George said. “The parliamentary process takes time, but we now have a super majority and I expect this bill to move much faster.”
Although Parliament is currently in recess, the lawmaker expressed confidence that the bill will be tabled for consideration when legislative business resumes. “The leadership of the Private Members Bill Committee has a responsibility to move with expedition,” he said.
The reintroduction marks a renewed phase in what has become one of Ghana’s most polarizing legislative debates. While supporters of the bill argue it reflects the country’s cultural and moral standards, critics—both domestic and international—warn it threatens human rights and risks international sanctions.
Still, for Mr. George and his allies, the mission remains unchanged. “I have kept my fidelity and my promise,” he said. “To the Ghanaian people. To my chiefs. To Parliament.”
Source:TheDotNews