Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, has strongly criticized Ghana’s recent decision to abstain from a United Nations vote on LGBTQ+ rights. He called the move a departure from the country’s declared values and a betrayal of its constitutional principles.
The vote, held at the UN Human Rights Council, aimed to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity. While 29 countries voted in favor and 15 opposed, Ghana chose to abstain a decision that has sparked public and political backlash.
Reacting to the news, Sam George, a lead sponsor of Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, described the abstention as “deeply disappointing and inconsistent.” According to him, the government’s silence during such a critical moment sends the wrong message both locally and internationally.
“Ghana cannot claim to uphold its cultural values and yet refuse to defend them on the global stage,” he argued. He further stressed that parliament had already taken a firm stand through the passage of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill and expected government representatives to act accordingly.
Moreover, he accused the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of failing to consult stakeholders or reflect the will of the Ghanaian people. George urged the government to provide clarity and align its international actions with its domestic position on LGBTQ+ issues.
As public concern grows, he reaffirmed his commitment to seeing the bill fully passed and enforced, stating, “Our values are not negotiable they must be defended without hesitation or confusion.”
