The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, has replied US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, concerning consequences of Ghana’s anti-LGBTQI stance.
She urged the government and Parliament to tread cautiously with the passage of the anti-LGBTQI stance bill.
“Lots of ethnic communities make Ghana strong, stable, and attractive for investments. I hope it stays that way with regard to the LGBTQ community.
“And again, there’s money to be made if your colour is green or red; it is Ghanaian. But if there is discrimination or worse, then that will send a signal not to (only) LGBTQ investors and exporters but to other American investors that Ghana is less welcoming than I am telling people that it is now,” she told journalists.
Reacting to the comments, Sam George, the lead sponsor of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, expressed surprise at the suggestion made by the US Ambassador.
“Let me reassure you and the US Embassy that Ghana remains welcoming and open to American investors as a stable, viable democracy. We welcome investors who value the principles of integrity and respect the cultural values of their partners,” he said.
Mr George questioned whether American investors are looking to invest in a country lacking values and principles.
“….I thought the basic test of a potential partner is integrity and values. Ghana, as you know, is very intolerant of religious extremism. Has that made American investors wary of Ghana as an intolerant investment destination?” he quizzed.
He noted that Ghana’s intention to pass the anti-LGBTQ bill is not different from the American legal framework, particularly in states like Florida and Kentucky.
Mr George pointed out that the US Supreme Court’s stance on LGBTQ issues is similar to Ghana’s position, indicating a shared perspective on certain values.
