During his vetting, Sam George reaffirmed his commitment to the anti-LGBTQI bill. He stated that the bill would be reintroduced in the ninth Parliament, either as a government bill or a private member’s bill.
He made it clear that he remains committed to protecting Ghanaian family values and children’s innocence. He emphasized that the bill is a crucial part of national life and must be pursued for the moral and cultural integrity of the country. “My position is that that bill is a critical part of our national life. Ghanaian family values, our children’s innocence, must be protected. It is a critical part of our national life. Ghanaian family values—our children’s innocence—must be protected,” he emphasized.
When asked about his past comments on the Chief Justice’s handling of the bill, Sam George stood by his statements. He argued that the Chief Justice delayed action on the matter and insisted that his concerns had been vindicated. He stated that his views on the issue remain unchanged.
He said, “My opinions about the actions and inaction of the Chief Justice remain. They are unchanged, and they have been vindicated by the actions of the Chief Justice post my demonstration against her. She could have taken action earlier.”
Sam George on Mahama’s Stance on the LGBTQI Bill
On the matter of President Mahama’s stance on the bill, Sam George clarified that all bills that were not assented to before the expiration of the eighth Parliament had expired. However, he assured the committee that discussions on the bill would resume in the ninth Parliament to build consensus on the way forward.
He quoted President John Dramani Mahama’s statement during his meeting at the Catholic Bishops Conference. “I wish to quote what he said, parts of what he said, with your permission. So the convention is that all bills that are not assented to before the expiration of the life of Parliament expire. And so that bill effectively is dead. It has expired. I don’t know what the promoters of the bill intend to do, but I do think that we should have a conversation on it again….so that all of us if we decide to move that bill forward, move it forward with a consensus,” he read.
He concluded by reiterating that the anti-LGBTQI bill remains a priority for him and that he will take steps to ensure its passage in the new Parliament.
Sam George completed his education in Nigeria and Ghana, earning a degree in agricultural engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
He has served in various ministries in government, including the communications and labor relations board. He is currently the minister-designate for communications, digital technology, and innovations in science and technology.
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