Sam George
Ningo-Prampram’s Member of Parliament, (MP), Samuel Nartey George, is facing severe backlash from a wide range of social media users following his recent verbal assault on the religious beliefs and practices of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
The controversial remarks were made during his appearance on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. As a result, Sam George has found himself at the center of a heated controversy.
During the television program moderated by Randy Abbey, the MP referred to the newly-elected 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer as a “religious prostitute,” sparking outrage among many viewers and social media users as well as Muslim groups in the NDC.
Sam George said “We will take our time and scrutinise Bawumia for who he is. I will take him on his so-called digitisation drive. We are talking about a man who you cannot vouch for. Do you know whether he is a Muslim?
“When the issue of the Hijabs came up in this country for Muslim girls, did you ever hear Dr Bawumia speak? When the issue of fasting for girls came up during Ramadan, he was silent. When the Muslim Zongo youth were killed in cold blood in Kumasi, Dr Bawumia was silent.
“No true Muslim anywhere in this world believes that Jesus Christ is our lord and saviour. No true Muslim kneels before a Catholic priest or a pastor to lay hands on them – only Bawumia. If you like, you can take the Surah Mariama that talks about who Jesus is. They do not see Jesus Christ as their lord and personal saviour as we do,” he added.
“Bawumia goes to a church, claiming that Jesus Christ is our Lord and personal saviour. He is not a proper Muslim.”
Sam George’s derogatory remarks have been widely criticized for their disrespectful nature and for crossing the line of acceptable political discourse.
The comments made by the Ningo Prampram MP have ignited a fierce debate on social media platforms, with users expressing their disappointment and anger towards his choice of words. Many argue that attacking someone’s religious beliefs is a clear violation of the principles of respect and tolerance that should be upheld in a democratic society.
Critics of Sam George argue that regardless of political differences, it is essential for public figures to engage in civil and constructive discussions rather than resorting to personal attacks on religious or any other sensitive matters. They believe that such behavior erodes public trust in politicians and undermines the democratic values that the nation holds dear.
Some X users have pointed out that the National Chief Imam, Shiekh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu on various occasions has had priests and pastors lay their hands on him in prayer.
“According to Sam George the Chief Imam is not a ‘Proper Muslim’… Something I wonder what these guys are on when they’re communicating,” @EricEtse tweeted.
Another user @PrinceBrobb tweeted “Is @samgeorgegh aware the national chief imam himself has also visited and felicitated with Christians on special occasions?? Does that make him a non-Muslim too? What kind of rhetoric we now condoning all in the name of politicking? This is a very slippery slope for us all.”
Others also made the case that the MP is engaging in dangerous religious politics and thus demanded an apology from the MP.
“JM is a Christian but visit the mosque and chief Imam always. He was born a Muslim but converted to Christianity. Do you call such character a political prostitute too @samgeorgegh? Don’t use religion for your political nonsense cuz we’re at peace with each other here,” @Kwesi_Agyei posted.
In response to the backlash, the MP has not issued an apology but defended his statements, stating that he was merely expressing his opinion on the Vice President’s religious practices. Sam George maintains that he has the right to criticize public figures and question their religious affiliations if he deems it necessary.
As the controversy continues to unfold, political analysts and commentators have weighed in on the matter. Some argue that the comments made by Sam George are reflective of a broader trend of inflammatory rhetoric and personal attacks in Ghanaian politics.
They emphasize the importance of promoting respectful discourse and focusing on substantive issues rather than engaging in personal attacks.
By Vincent Kubi