Sam George, the lead proponent for Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill, has declined to apologize to Reverend Jide Macaulay, a British-Nigerian gay pastor, for allegedly targeting him based on his HIV/AIDS status.
Calls for Sam George to retract his statement against Reverend Jide Macaulay, who is known to be living with HIV/AIDS, have been made by LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS activists. The statement in question was made on Saturday, June 3, 2023, where Sam George attempted to connect Reverend Macaulay’s HIV status with his sexual orientation.
Sam George’s tweet read, “Look at this failed human being attempting to call me out. Go deal with your HIV infection, which is a result of your homosexuality. Like they say in your home country, Nigeria, you no reach! Off you go!”
This comment by Sam George has elicited strong reactions, with people condemning him for using Reverend Macaulay’s health condition to attack him.
Dr. Amanski, a Ghanaian medical doctor, expressed his disapproval, saying, “HIV shaming and stigmatization, riddled with ignorance! This is pathetic. And this man is supposed to be a lawmaker? This is so wrong on so many levels, and I hope he has the decency to apologize and retract it. Just read and educate yourself. #saynotoHIVstigmatization #U=U.”
Nana Ama Agyemang Asante, a Ghanaian journalist, also criticized Sam George, stating, “My god! Sam George is truly vile. How does anyone shame a human being with their HIV/AIDS status in 2023?”
Despite the backlash, Sam George remains unyielding, providing an explanation for his tweet and pushing back against his critics.
“We will continue to educate the youth in our society that homosexuality increases the risk of contracting HIV. This person became infected through gay sex. Nothing, absolutely nothing, changes that fact, and I have a responsibility to alert the youth about this danger,” he stated.
About the Promotion of Proper Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 202
The LGBTQ+ Bill before Parliament is titled: “The Promotion of Proper Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021.” It is a Private Members’ Bill sponsored by a bipartisan group of lawmakers.
The eight MPs who sponsored the Bill are Sam Nartey George (MP, Ningo Prampram), Emmanuel Bedzrah (MP, Ho West) Della Adjoa Sowah (MP, Kpando), John Ntim Fordjour (MP, Assin South) – the sole NPP MP sponsoring the Bill.
The remaining sponsors are Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini (MP, Tamale North), Helen Adjoa Ntoso (MP, Krachi West), Rita Naa Odoley Sowah (MP, La Dadekotopon) and Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor (MP, South Dayi).
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