Sam George Calls on Parliament to Fast-Track Passage of Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill

Samuel Nartey George, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and a key advocate of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, is urging Parliament to hasten the approval process so the legislation can be forwarded to President John Dramani Mahama for assent.

According to Sam George, the protection of Ghanaian children and the preservation of national cultural values are non-negotiable, stressing the urgency of getting the bill passed without further delay. He reaffirmed his unwavering stance on the matter and emphasized that his commitment remains firm.

He referenced Ghana’s recent position on the draft resolution L.24 presented at the UN Human Rights Council, stating his full support for the content and intent of Ghana’s statement. However, he expressed disappointment over Ghana’s decision to abstain from the vote, describing it as inconsistent with the country’s declared position and at odds with his personal principles.

“That abstention contradicts both Ghana’s stated stance and my conscience. We must always be clear and resolute about where we stand,” he said. He added that the bill, which was previously passed by Parliament but not signed by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has been reintroduced with the backing of other MPs.

“I’m calling on Parliament to speed up the approval process so we can present it to President John Dramani Mahama. We cannot compromise the moral foundations of our society or the innocence of our youth,” he posted on his X account.

His remarks come following a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarifying Ghana’s abstention during a vote at the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The Ministry explained that the vote was not about endorsing LGBTQI rights but rather about renewing the mandate of the Independent Expert on Protection Against Violence and Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

The Ministry further stated that Ghana’s abstention was guided by Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on gender and other identifiers. It emphasized that Ghana maintains a traditional understanding of gender as male and female and reaffirmed the government’s awareness of public sentiment and its strong opposition to LGBTQI advocacy.

In May 2025, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin announced the reintroduction of the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ bill, which had previously ignited widespread public and international debate. The bill seeks to criminalize same-sex relationships and activities related to LGBTQ+ advocacy, with proposed penalties including increased jail terms and sanctions for public support of LGBTQ+ rights.