Anti-LGBTQI+ Bill is a national agenda to save our culture – Sam George
The anti-LGBTQI is a national agenda and we have the backing of 90% of MPs
Samuel Nartey George, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, has defended his decision to sponsor the explicit criminalization of LGBTQI+ activities in the country saying it is not politically motivated but a national agenda.
Recently, two incidents involving the LGBTQI+ community in Ghana reignited a national discussion on the issue. These incidents were the arrest of over 20 activists in Ho and the Police raiding and subsequent closure of an alleged LGBTQI+ office in a rented property at Ashongman in Accra.
Those incidents gave further dimensions to the debate on the activities of the group in the country. Many prominent figures including the Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Alban Bagbin. His predecessor, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye had also taken his stand against the activities of the LGBTQI+ community, warning World Bank against any homosexually-attached conditions to support the country.
Sam George who recently led a number of MPs to present a Private Members Bill before Parliament for consideration in hope of outrightly criminalizing the acts and activities of the community has now revealed that he has the support of many of his colleague lawmakers. He stated that because the issue is a national agenda, it has the support of members from both sides of the House.
“I am pretty confident that at least 90% of the MPs support this bill. They meet me in the walkway and urge me on. I would not want to mention names because I understand the challenges some of them might be going through, however, I would not want to pass judgement on them. I, for one, represent two traditional councils and both of them have given me express approval to pursue this bill.”
He further added, “MP for Tamale Central, Alhassan Fuseini, is pained that his name is not assigned to this bill because he has been advocating for this all along, so there is overwhelming support. We can also refer to the submission of the Deputy Minister for Fisheries, Moses Anim, on the floor of Parliament. The majority of the NPP MPs who have spoken to me are with me. The Director of Communications for the NPP in the UK [has also urged me on]. In the same way, there are some NDC MPs who may not be happy about this. This is not political, it is a national agenda to save our culture”.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
