The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, has criticized Amnesty International, describing them as a bunch of hypocrites.
This reaction comes after the human rights organization announced its intention to take legal action against the Promotion of Proper Human Rights and Ghanaian Family Value Bill 2021 (anti-LGBT bill) if passed by Parliament.
Amnesty International’s Country Director, Genevieve Partington, argued for a revision of sections of the bill in an interview on Starr FM, stating that the bill, in its current state, goes against the Constitution of Ghana and should be rejected.
“It is against the 1992 Constitution so all these things we have to consider. For Amnesty International should the bill be passed we will take it to court. As we are allowed to so that is the agenda we have,” she said.
In an appearance on Starr Chat on Starr FM with Bola Ray, Sam Nettey George criticized Amnesty International, asserting that the international body cannot remain silent over President Akufo-Addo’s refusal to sign the Witchcraft Bill.
“Amnesty International they are a bunch of hypocrites. The Country Director just wants to earn her salary, Christmas is coming and she needs to earn her bonus and other stuff. Where is Amnesty International when the President has refused to assent to the Witchcraft Bill? The Witchcraft Bill takes away the Human Rights of mothers and some grandmothers in parts of this country.
“When the President refused to assent to it, it has been almost almost two weeks, have you heard Amnesty International talk about it? Have they said a word about it? So if Amnesty International is really interested in human rights why have they not called out the President for refusing to assent to the bill.”
Amnesty International’s vision is to create a world where everyone can enjoy the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights mechanisms.
To achieve this vision, its mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of these rights.
President Akufo-Addo has chosen not to give his approval to the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2023, the Wildlife Resources Management Bill 2023, and the Armed Forces Amendment Bill 2023.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, criticized the President on November 27, 2023, for not informing Parliament of his position on the Criminal Offences Amendment Bill 2023, which aims to criminalize attacks on alleged witches.
However, a communication from the Presidency contradicted claims that the President had decided not to approve the Bills and denied receiving them until November 27, 2023.
In a letter to Parliament on Monday, December 4, President Akufo-Addo conveyed to the House that he is unable to give his approval to the three bills until the associated constitutional matters are resolved.
The letter was read to members of the House by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin. He said the president in his letter noted that “upon review he noted some constitutional matters related to its passage” that must be addressed before he assents to them.
The Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which makes it an offence to accuse any person of being a witch, was passed by Parliament five months ago.
The Minority, championed by the MP for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu, maintained that the failure of the President to assent to the bill constituted a constitutional breach which should not be countenanced.