Mahama has used ministerial appointment to intimidate, silence Sam George on his Anti-LGBTQ advocacy

Sam George [L] and Mahama

Former Deputy Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Musah Superior, has claimed that former President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment of Sam George as Communications Minister is a strategic move to mute his advocacy for the Anti-LGBTQI+ Bill.

Speaking in an interview on Oyerepa FM on January 28, 2025, Musah Superior argued that Mahama’s recent appointments and his changing stance on the controversial bill are interconnected.

He noted that prior to the 2024 elections, Sam George had been one of the most vocal proponents of the bill, even going as far as warning that Mahama “he would know no peace” if he failed to sign the legislation into law.

However, following Mahama’s victory, the former president’s position has appeared to shift, now advocating for further discussions rather than a firm commitment to passing the bill.

“You know this gay, lesbian thing. You know how Sam George and Mahama were forceful about it, and Mahama said he is a Christian and that his faith will not allow him to encourage it.

“Mahama was the number one person at every NDC rally insisting Akufo-Addo should sign it, and I also insisted Akufo-Addo should sign it, but it was so unfortunate that President Akufo-Addo didn’t sign the bill.

“Today, Mahama is flip-flopping. He is saying we have to have communication and this and that,” he said.

He alleged that Mahama’s change in tone is directly tied to his appointment of Sam George, whom he described as the leading crusader for the bill.

“Do you know that he is intimidating the person he has nominated as Communications Minister? He is saying that it is no longer a private members’ bill, so the government will own it.

“And then he has given the loudest person, the leader of that crusade, a juicy appointment… and Sam George has told Ghanaians that if Mahama doesn’t follow through, he will not know peace,” he added.

Meanwhile, President John Mahama has declared that the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, commonly known as the Anti-LGBTQ Bill, to tackle LGBTQ activities is effectively dead after failing to receive presidential assent before the end of the previous Parliament.

During a meeting with the Catholic Bishops, President Mahama explained that the bill’s failure provides an opportunity for a more inclusive conversation on the matter.

AM/KA

You can also watch the latest episode of Everyday People on GhanaWeb TV below: