Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam Nartey George, has defended Ghana’s Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, also known as the anti-LGBT bill, insisting the country has the sovereign right to determine its position on same-sex issues without external pressure.
His remarks come after Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, on February 10, 2026, directed the Business Committee to schedule the reintroduced bill — popularly known as the anti-LGBT bill — for consideration at the next sitting of the House.
The move follows a Financial Impact Analysis which concluded that the proposed legislation does not impose any financial burden on the Consolidated Fund, clearing a key constitutional hurdle.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC on Thursday, February 12, 2026, the Ningo-Prampram MP defended both the substance of the bill and its legislative history.
“This bill has been before Parliament since 2021, when myself and seven other colleagues introduced it. At the time, we weren’t in government,” he said.
According to him, Parliament previously passed the bill, but it was not assented to by former President Akufo-Addo despite what he described as nationwide endorsement.
“We reintroduced it when my party came into government. It’s gone through the processes of Parliament and now the Speaker has directed the Business Committee to lay it,” he stated, clarifying that he is acting in his capacity as a Member of Parliament and sponsor of the legislation, not as a minister.
On concerns about stigma and the safety of LGBTQ persons, Mr. George rejected claims that the bill promotes discrimination.
“There’s nothing about stigma in the bill. The bill actually prescribes anybody from using verbal or physical assault against a person accused of being homosexual,” he said, describing the legislation as “balanced.”
However, the minister took the debate further by drawing comparisons with the United Kingdom, arguing that Western countries have enacted laws that restrict certain religious or moral positions.
He cited examples of UK laws outlawing polygamy and referenced cases involving Christian doctors and teachers who, he claimed, faced professional sanctions for refusing to support same-sex-related practices.
“So Ghana is a sovereign country. If we choose to go the other way, I don’t think that is against the law,” he argued. “If in the UK it is okay for you to withdraw the teaching licence and medical licence of Christians who don’t believe they should support same-sex activity, why should Ghana not also be in a position to say that we will do this?”
Mr George maintained that the majority of his constituents support the bill, describing it as reflective of Ghana’s cultural and social values.
The reintroduction of the bill is expected to reignite both domestic and international debate, with human rights organisations closely monitoring developments as Parliament prepares to reconsider the legislation.
Bagbin directs Parliament to schedule anti-LGBTQ bill for consideration
