Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and former Minister for Communications, Samuel Nartey George, has issued a robust attraction to Parliament to expedite the passage of Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ invoice.
His remarks come amid ongoing controversy surrounding Ghana’s resolution to abstain from a vote on the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Unbiased Skilled on Safety In opposition to Violence and Discrimination Based mostly on Sexual Orientation and Gender Id, through the 59th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC59).
Reacting to the abstention, Mr George, a number one advocate of the anti-LGBTQ+ laws, questioned the rationale behind Ghana’s resolution. In a put up shared on social media on Thursday, 10 July, he wrote:
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LGBTQ
My place on the matter of LGBTQ+ stays steadfast. I’ve learn the complete assertion Ghana made on the ground in relation to our place on draft decision L.24. I align absolutely with the letter and spirit of the textual content.
Nevertheless, he expressed disapproval over the nation’s abstention from the precise vote, stating it contradicted Ghana’s beforehand acknowledged place:
I can not, nevertheless, in good conscience, perceive the choice to abstain within the subsequent vote. That vote is in battle with Ghana’s espoused place and my conscience. We MUST always make our place clear and unambiguous.
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Reaffirming his dedication to the invoice, the MP famous that the controversial laws has been re-submitted to Parliament. He urged swift motion:
As I indicated earlier, along with my colleagues in Parliament, we now have resubmitted the identical invoice that was handed final 12 months by Parliament and which @NAkufoAddo refused to signal. I urge Parliament to expedite the approval course of so we could current the invoice to President @JDMahama.
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He additional pledged:
The innocence of Ghanaian kids and the sanctity of our values can’t be traded for any concerns. Let fact, our conscience, and rules be our guiding gentle.
The anti-LGBTQ+ invoice, formally titled the Human Sexual Rights and Household Values Invoice, was unanimously handed by Parliament on 28 February 2024. The invoice seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ actions in Ghana. Penalties ranged from six months to a few years’ imprisonment for people concerned, and between three to 5 years for promoters or sponsors of such actions.
Nevertheless, former President Nana Akufo-Addo declined to assent to the invoice, citing ongoing authorized challenges, earlier than leaving workplace.
