According to Samuel George Nartey, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo Prampram Constituency, the US Embassy’s promotion of gay rights in Ghana is an insult to the country’s sovereignty.
According to Sam George, as the Member of Parliament is affectionately known, the US cannot do the same thing in a nation like Saudi Arabia, where the practice is condemned.
It follows the raising of the LGBTQI+ flag at the US Embassy in Accra, presumably in solidarity with Ghana’s LGBTQI community.
US Ambassador Stephanie S. Sullivan gathered support for Ghana’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) population during June’s 2021 Pride Month event.
“We aim to increase the visibility of, and address the challenges faced by, the community as we stand against injustice toward not only women and girls and religious minorities but also toward members of the LGBTQI+ community,” she remarked.
She emphasized that, despite the low-key nature of the event, the US stands firmly behind the Ghanaian population.
“Just as senior officials raised the Progress Flag for the first time at the State Department last Friday, I’m happy to invite you all to watch as we hoist the Pride flag in honor of the people we celebrate this month and as a symbol of our continued commitment to the human rights, dignity, and inclusion of all LGBTQI+ people.”
However, appearing on Metro TV on Tuesday night, the Ningo Prampram legislator who is spearheading the sponsorship of a Private Member’s Bill to criminalize the practice, accused the US Embassy with abiding by the Vienna Convention.
“The Vienna Convention on Diplomacy states that diplomats must be respectful of the local laws of their host country. If the host country criminalises, as it is today, homosexuality in our country, it is an affront to the sovereignty of this state hoisting an LGBTQ flag in our country.”
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament said that the Embassy is attempting to sabotage their efforts as the law nears approval.
“Because of the discussion on the passage of this bill, they are trying to make a grand-stand position. It is pointless display, since the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia has not raised a flag.
“And I will demand or expect the [Jubilee] House to instruct the Foreign Minister to summon the US Ambassador.”
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SOURCE: ATLFM ONLINE
