Anti-gay Bill: I have not changed my position – Sam George

Ningo Prampram lawmaker Samule Nartey Goegre says he has not changed his position on the anti-LGBTQI Bill.

He says he has resubmitted the private member’s bill to Parliament and is awaiting the constitution committee of Parliament to invite him.

He reiterated his appointed the LGBTIQI is an abomination and should not be accepted in Ghana

“I have laid the private members before parliament,” he said in an interview on TV3 Friday, April 11.

He added, “I have not changed my position.”

Earlier, Sam George told the Appointments Committee of Parliament that the Anti-LGBTQI bill would be reintroduced in Parliament.

He says if the bill has to be reintroduced by him again, he will do that.

Answering questions from Damongo lawmaker Samuel Abu Jinapor during proceedings on Thursday, January 30, he stated categorically that the bill forms an important aspect of the national life of Ghanaians.

“The bill will be reintroduced in the 9th parliament,” he told the committee.

Recently, President John Dramani Mahama suggested that the controversial anti-LGBTQ bill would have a higher chance of success and broader legitimacy if it were a government-sponsored initiative.

Speaking during a meeting with the Catholic Bishops Conference, Mr Mahama emphasised that Ghana’s cultural and moral values could be better preserved through a curriculum that instils family values.

“For the bill to have broader legitimacy and a higher chance of success, it should ideally come with government backing,” Mahama said.

However, he clarified that a legislative approach may not be his administration’s priority.

“We won’t need a bill to enforce our family values,” Mahama said. “And that’s why I think more than even the Family Values Bill, it’s us agreeing on a curriculum that inculcates these values into our children as they’re growing up so that we don’t need to legislate it“, he continued.

His comments suggest that his government may be open to a more measured approach to LGBTQ issues, rather than pushing for harsh criminal penalties. This also signal a departure from the hardline stance taken by some members of his party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who have called for the swift passage of the bill in its current form.

The anti-LGBTQ bill, officially titled the “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill,” has been one of the most contentious issues in Ghanaian politics.

It seeks to criminalise LGBTQ activities and advocacy in the country.

Proponents argue that the bill aligns with Ghanaian cultural and religious values, while opponents claim it infringes on fundamental human rights.

Political implications

In 2024, the former Nana Addo-led administration failed to sign the bill into law despite its passage in Parliament.

Mahama’s stance on the LGBTQ bill could have significant political implications.

While it may alienate some conservative groups, it positions his administration as more progressive and internationally aligned. His emphasis on education and dialogue over punishment reflects a measured approach to addressing societal concerns without undermining human rights.

During the campaign period leading up to the 2024 elections, Mahama and the NDC cr iticised the previous administration for its failure to sign the bill. The NDC called this a reluctance on the part of the then-President and used it as a major campaign issue during the 2024 elections.

However, President Mahama’s current position suggests a shift from campaign rhetoric to a more pragmatic governance approach.

The post Anti-gay Bill: I have not changed my position – Sam George first appeared on 3News.

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