Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Sam Nartey George, has disclosed that globalisation cannot be allowed to compromised values which have long been held in the country particularly on matters pertaining to LGBTQ+.
According to him, although globalization is relevant in any discourse, the principles behind the sponsors of the Promotion of Sexual Human Right and Ghana Family Values Bill 2021 are central to the strengthening of the value systems in the country.
Speaking at the second public hearing organised by the Parliamentary Committee tasked to probe the memoranda submitted to Parliament on the Bill, Sam George revealed that the object of the bill is to provide proper legislative framework for a proper human sexual right. He explained that the memorandum is to ensure that the country has a “codified form of legislation” on what the Ghanaian family values are, relative to sexual relation.
“We also believe that Ghana is part of the globalization that’s happening, we are not an island. However, globalization is meant to strengthen the values of a state and not to erode the values and identity of a state. We cannot allow supposed presumed globalization to compromise the moral and cultural values therein in our country”.
Sam Nartey George
The background to the bill, Sam George revealed, is that in the last week of January this year, the media was awash with a lot of reportage on the opening of an advocacy office in Ghana for “LGBTTQQIAAP+” activities. He noted that the opening of the advocacy resource center sparked public outrage and outcry.
Following this, Sam George emphasized that along with the other seven sponsors of the bill, they petitioned the Speaker of parliament and registered their “abhorrence” for the opening of that office and “sanctioning” of members of the diplomatic corps who were present at the opening.
“It is to the best of our understanding that the ministry of foreign affairs did engage post our statement and we also saw national security step in to close down the resource center”.
Sam Nartey George
Sponsors of LGBTQ+ deny criminalizing intersex
Meanwhile, the Ningo-Prampram legislator expressed that the Bill is not intended to criminalize intersex persons. According to him, Section 6 of the Bill which deals with the criminalisation of the sexual acts and gender identities deemed offences under the Bill exempts intersex people from sanctions.
Reacting to a statement by MP for Ablekuma West, Ursula Ekuful, who expressed concern about the supposed criminalisation of intersex people, Sam George emphatically stated that the bill will engender no such activity.
“The Honourable Member makes a specific claim that we’re criminalising intersex. Mr. Chairman, that again is false. It’s unfortunate and I’d want to use this opportunity to educate the Honourable Member that our bill does not criminalise intersex”.
Sam Nartey George
Currently, over 140 memos have been presented to the Committee regarding the Bill. The Bill, if passed in its current state, will criminalise Lesbianism, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and their related activities.
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