Ningo-Prampram’s Member of Parliament, Sam George, became visibly agitated at the parliamentary premises on December 6, alleging that Ablekuma North MP Sheila Bartels had accused him of accepting funds from the LGBTQ+ community to temper his advocacy for the Anti-Gay bill.
As a vocal supporter of the Anti-Gay bill, Sam George asserted that during a media interview, Sheila Bartels accused him of receiving money from the LGBTQ+ community. He expressed his displeasure, stating, “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 me.”
Tensions escalated within Parliament between supporters of the Anti-Gay bill and First Deputy Majority Whip Lydia Seyram Alhassan. The dispute centered around the House’s failure to progress the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill to its consideration stage.
Proponents of the bill, also known as the Anti-LGBT bill, were angered by Parliament’s inability to address the legislation on that particular day. The bill aims to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities, prohibit advocacy for or promotion of such activities, and ensure protection and support for individuals, particularly children, involved in or accused of LGBTQ+ activities.
Despite expectations that the bill would be discussed that day, the absence of Constitutional Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee Chairman Kwame Ayimadu-Antwi prevented its consideration. Samuel Nartey George, the lead proponent, alleged intentional efforts by the majority caucus to obstruct the bill’s progress.
“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.”
He cautioned that if the obstruction persisted, he would disclose the individuals responsible for hindering the bill’s passage, urging Ghanaians, the Christian community, the National House of Chiefs, and Civil Society Organizations to take note of these actions. George concluded, “Those who think they can stand in its way, we will crash you”
