Samuel George Nartey, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, believes that even if American companies decide to leave Ghana after the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021, is passed, the country’s economy will not collapse.
After being introduced on the floor of parliament for three long years, the controversial anti-LGBTQ legislation was unanimously passed by Parliament on Wednesday, February 28, 2024. The legislation forbids lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) activities and criminalizes their promotion, advocacy, and funding in the nation.
If approved by the president, the anti-LGBTQ bill will, among other things, penalize the deliberate promotion of and participation in LGBTQ activities throughout the nation.
The bill stipulated that anyone caught engaging in same-sex activities would face a minimum sentence of six months and a maximum sentence of three years.
However, those found guilty of deliberately endorsing, funding, or promoting LGBTQ+ activities will be sentenced to a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years in prison.
The lawmaker from Ningo-Prampram claimed that “American businesses in Ghana are not in Ghana because of LGBTQ+” and that “they are in Ghana because they make profit,” in an interview with News Central TV with a Nigerian base.
He emphasizes that Americans should avoid Ghanaian local politics because the country is an independent one.
Mr. Sam George urged African countries to make decisions with strength and steadfastness.
He stated that while Americans and other Western countries conduct business with countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, those countries have capital punishment laws for anyone found engaging in same-sex activities.
