The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George has delivered a passionate speech in defense of traditional family values at a United Nations summit in New York.

1. REMARKS BY HON. SAMUEL NARTEY GEORGE, MP. FOR NINGO-PRAMPRAM
CONSTITUENCY IN GHANA’S PARLIAMENT AT THE 5TH
TRANSATLANTIC SUMMIT
ORGANIZED BY THE POLITICAL NETWORK FOR VALUES AT THE UNITED NATIONS
HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK.
As a natural-born man, a Charismatic Christian, a husband of one woman, a father of three
children and an elected Member of Ghana's Parliament, I hold the role of the family
extremely sacred. I believe that the right to found a family and determine same is a right
that accrues to everyone within the context and spirit of the 1992 Constitution of the
Republic of Ghana, the African Charter on Human and People's Rights, the UN Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and several other recognised international treaties like the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Seventy-five years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the spirit and letter
are more poignant than at any other time in our history. At a time in our world where
supposedly progressive forces are agitating for a redefinition of the core principles of what
a family is and represent in a somewhat regressive manner, the genuinely progressive
voices must rise in defence of family, its values and protections. The concept of the natural
family is under attack, and a siege is being attempted on the spirit of the Declaration of
Human Rights.
Let me be clear here and now, Sirs and Ma'ams: there is a distinct difference between sex
and gender. The pseudo-war being waged by some against the family is premised on the
obfuscation and literal obliteration of the distinction between sex and gender. Sex is a
biological construct that transcends race, ethnicity, religion and jurisdictional
jurisprudence. Sex is binary - either male or female. God determines it at the moment of
conception. A foetus carries either the XY or XX chromosomes, determining whether it is
born male or female. From my beloved Ningo-Prampram Constituency in Accra to New
York and Rio de Janeiro to Madrid or Delhi to Perth, the interpretation of XY and XX is
constant.
Gender, on the other hand, is a social construct that has evolved on the peculiarities of
various societies. From the onset, matching the binary nature of sex, we see different
recognitions of gender across the world today. There is no universality in the concept of
gender as gender is highly fluid, and as such, gender cannot form the basis for any
convention, covenant or treaty which seeks to be globally acceptable and binding.
This is the basis for my avowed position that the letter and spirit of the UN Universal
Declaration of Human Rights is apt and meets the needs of our global world today. It
emphasises in Article 2 the Rights and freedoms outlined in the Declaration and is clear
that there shall be no distinction based on SEX. Yes, it says SEX, not gender. This is definite
and must be defended by all progressive forces. The Declaration in Article 16(1) makes yet
another actual position that I cherish and implore us all to hold fast and dear, that the right
tomarry and found a family shallbe betweenmen andwomen of fullage withoutprejudice
to their race, nationality or religion. Men and women, it says. Yet again, this is another
reinforcement of the principle of sex and not gender.

2. As a proud African, Article 2 of our African Charter on Human and People's Rights also
echoes the principles of enjoyment of rights without prejudice to SEX and not gender. As
Africans, the role of the family is cardinal to our society and its well-being. To reinforce
this, Article 18 of the Charter recognises the family as society's natural unit and basis. It
imposes a responsibility on Member States to protect the physical health and morals of
the family. It declares the family as the custodian of morals and traditional values
recognised by the community. There is no ambiguity here that the values of family as a
union between a natural-born man and woman must be protected by us all. Against this
backdrop, I am sponsoring, together with seven (7) other colleagues, the Promotion of
Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021 in Ghana's Parliament.
In conclusion, I reference the critical role that the family plays in the development of
society through the development, education and upbringing of children. Article 18(3) and
(4) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights declares respect for the
liberties of parents and legal guardians to ensure their children’s religious and moral
education in conformity with their convictions. This right is not given to an Educational
Board or any pressure group or government. It is the right of parents in the family.
Ladies and Gentlemen herein gathered at the UN Headquarters in New York, the family
must remain respected and recognised as the union between natural-born men and
women of full age who have the right and responsibility to determine by their beliefs and
in conformity with the generality of their community, the details of the religious and moral
education of their children in a manner that respects communal norms of public safety,
order, health, morals and the fundamental rights and freedoms of the majority of their
community.
I thank you. Shalom.