Anti-LGBTQI+ Law: Sam George narrates how the Head of Drafting at the AG’s Dept. refused to work on the Bill

Lead advocate for the controversial Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, Samuel Nartey George, has shot down advice that the document be handed to the Attorney General and Minister for Justice.

Recall that, days ago, the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu suggested that the Executive, through the Attorney General, Godfred Dame could sponsor the anti-LGBT Bill, instead of the current approach of it being laid before parliament through a private members’ motion.

The Suame lawmaker said when this is done, it will forestall possible legal challenges against the bill when passed into law.

“What if Parliament passes the law and the next day somebody takes it up to the Supreme Court and the Court says that no, this clearly is something beyond Parliament. Parliament on its own couldn’t do that, it will then turn out to be an exercise in futility.

However, to the extent that all of us agree on that, if the Executive, the Attorney General to pre-empt such a situation, could take it up, I wouldn’t worry because we want the best for the country.” he pointed out.

Commenting on whether the bill imposes cost on the consolidated fund, the legislator said “a bill of such nature will establish structures and its implementation will certainly exact cost on the purse of the country without a doubt.”

“I am asking myself what will be the end product if we did it and then it ended up being pronounced on, as over stepping our bounds? But to the extent that we agree with the principle, what better way to do it. Let’s have the think through about it,” he said.

Reacting to the comments by the Majority Leader on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana programme on Thursday, Sam George said that suggestion will not work because there was an attempt initially and it was denied.

According to him, before he and his colleagues proceeded to make the law a private members bill, they approached the office. He said even though he admits the Minister was willing to work with them, his head of drafting flatly told them in the face she won’t be part.

“Randy maybe I will put this information out for the very first time. When we started work on this bill, we approached the Attorney General’s Office, in all fairness to the Attorney General Godfred Dame, he was willing to work with us on this bill, however, his head of drafting, said she will not work on it yes.  I am putting this out on record.

So people say we should hand this to the Attorney General‘s office, is it not the same head of drafting who refused to work with us on the bill six months ago, how then do you ask us to entrust this bill into that person’s hand to come and draft it. So that suggestion is dead on arrival”, he said.

The anti-LGBT bill otherwise known as, ‘The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill’, was presented to Speaker Alban Bagbin on June 29, 2021.

The proponents want the promotion, advocacy, funding, and acts of homosexuality to be criminalized in the country. The MP for Ningo Prampram is one of the leading proponents advocating for the bill to be passed into law.

However, there are others who are also opposing the bill saying the state has no business meddling in the sexual preference of consenting adults.

Source: Maame Esi Arthur || newdawngh