On December 6, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, erupted in the Parliamentary premises after claiming that the MP for Ablekuma North, Sheila Bartels, had accused him of collecting money from the LGBTQ+ community to tone down his campaign for the anti-Gay law.
Sam George, one of the bill’s supporters, stated that the Ablekuma North MP accused him of accepting money from the LGBTQ+ community during a media interview.
“Sheila Bartels sat on a media and said she knows that l have taken money from the LGBTQ+ people. It took her father to come and apologise to an enraged stated Sam George.
Disagreement erupted in Parliament between supporters of the Anti-Gay law and the First Deputy Majority Whip, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, over the house’s unwillingness to take up the bill on the promotion of proper human sexual rights and the Ghanaian family values bill at the consideration stage.
,” an incensed Sam George said.
Disagreement in Parliament ensued between proponents of the Anti-Gay bill and the First Deputy Majority Whip, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, over the inability of the house to take up the bill on the promotion of proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values bill at its consideration stage.
Proponents of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, often known as the Anti-LGBT bill, were outraged by Parliament’s failure to take the measure up for debate that day.
The measure proposes to outlaw LGBTQ+ and similar actions, as well as to prohibit propaganda or advocacy for or promotion of LGBTQ+ and related activities, as well as to protect and support children and individuals who are victims or accused of LGBTQ+ and related activities.
Although the bill was supposed to be considered that day, the house was unable to do so due to the absence of Kwame Ayimadu-Antwi, Chairman of the Constitutional Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.
In an interview with media, the primary proponent, Samuel Nartey George, said that the majority caucus is attempting to block the measure on purpose.
“Since 8:am this morning, we have been calling the chairman of the committee and he has refused to pick up the call or return the call. Those who have gone and gotten influence by persons who have interest in LGBTQ+, should return whatever influence they have collected. Because we will fight, the next time we address the media, I will mention names. I have been pressed upon today by my co-sponsors not to. It is out of respect that I’m not mentioning names.”
But, if they continue to frustrate the law, how can it have been in Parliament for over three years? This is a planned attempt to embarrass and weaken the speaker’s authority, and we will not allow it,” he declared.
He threatened to reveal those responsible for the bill’s demise.
“Ghanaians should take note, Christian community, National House of Chiefs, CSOs should take note of the actions of persons in this house who want to slow down the bill. Those who think they can stand in its way, we will crash you,” the MP warned.
