Source: newsthemegh.com
Samuel Nartey George, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, has been subject to harsh criticism on social media from a diverse group of people due to his recent verbal attacks on Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s religious views and practices.
On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, he made the contentious comments while appearing on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana. Sam George is now in the heart of a contentious debate as a result.
The MP offended many viewers and social media users, as well as Muslim groups within the NDC, when she called the recently elected 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer a “religious prostitute” during the television program chaired by Randy Abbey.
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.” he added
Sam George’s disparaging comments have drawn a lot of flak for being disrespectful and going beyond the bounds of appropriate political debate.
Users of social media platforms have expressed their disgust and anger at the Ningo Prampram MP’s remarks, which have sparked a heated debate.
Many contend that disparaging someone’s religious convictions is an egregious transgression of the tolerance and respect that ought to be maintained in a democratic society.
Sam George’s detractors contend that, regardless of political differences, prominent personalities should always participate in polite and productive dialogue instead of launching personal jabs at religious or other sensitive topics.
They contend that this kind of conduct damages the nation’s democratic values and erodes public confidence in officials.
Several X users have brought attention to the fact that National Chief Imam Shiekh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu has had pastors and priests lay hands on him in prayer on a number of occasions.
The MP has not apologized in response to the criticism; instead, he has defended his remarks, saying that he was only voicing his opinion about the Vice President’s religious habits.
Sam George says he is free to question the religious affiliations of public leaders and criticize them if he feels it is necessary.
Political analysts and observers have offered their opinions as the controversy develops. Some contend that Sam George’s remarks are representative of a larger pattern of divisive language and insulting remarks in Ghanaian politics.
They stress the significance of encouraging civil dialogue and concentrating on important topics rather than launching personal assaults.