Ghanaian Member of Parliament, Samuel Nartey George, has waded into the growing controversy surrounding South African LGBTQ+ couple, Lue and Rue, who recently shared intimate photos taken at Ghana’s historic Black Star Square. The images, which featured the couple kissing passionately, have ignited widespread outrage on social media and sparked a larger national conversation around LGBTQ+ visibility, cultural norms, and public decency laws.
In a strongly worded statement, Sam George, who is known for his firm stance on traditional values and national sovereignty, called on Ghana’s law enforcement agencies, including the Ghana Police Service and the Ministry of National Security, to take immediate legal action against the couple. According to the MP, their actions not only disrespected Ghana’s cultural and moral fabric but also undermined the sanctity of a national monument held in high esteem by Ghanaians.
Black Star Square: A Symbol of National Pride
The Black Star Square, also known as Independence Square, holds a sacred place in Ghanaian history. It is a monumental symbol of the country’s liberation from colonial rule and is frequently used for state events, parades, and ceremonies of national importance. For many Ghanaians, the use of such a revered public space for what they consider an “unacceptable display of affection” by a foreign couple is a blatant provocation.
Sam George expressed concern that the act was not just a private expression of love but a deliberate attempt to make a political statement on Ghanaian soil. “This is not about sexual orientation,” he said. “It is about national respect, cultural sensitivity, and upholding the law.”
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The Call for Enforcement and Accountability
The MP’s call has reignited discussions about the role of the law in regulating morality and public behavior. Sam George insists that the police and the national security apparatus must not allow such incidents to go unchecked, especially when they involve foreign nationals potentially exploiting Ghana’s hospitality and institutions for controversial displays.
In his view, allowing this incident to slide without legal consequences would set a dangerous precedent for future acts of public indecency, regardless of who commits them. He urged the Interior Ministry and Immigration Services to investigate how the couple gained access to the square for such a shoot, and to determine if any local facilitators aided in the act.
Online Reactions and Public Division
Reactions to the incident and Sam George’s remarks have been divided. While a large segment of the public applauded his call for decisive action, others have accused him of intolerance and scapegoating. Human rights advocates have cautioned against what they see as a growing trend of using LGBTQ+ people as political targets in Ghana, warning of the long-term reputational damage to the country.
Lue and Rue, for their part, have remained quiet on the matter since the controversy erupted, though the photos remain on their social media pages and continue to attract mixed reactions globally.
Conclusion
As Ghana continues to grapple with its identity in a rapidly globalizing world, incidents like this underscore the tension between modern rights-based advocacy and traditional value systems. Sam George’s demand for legal action may serve as a test case for how Ghana chooses to balance freedom of expression with cultural preservation and legal enforcement.
Whether law enforcement will act remains to be seen, but one thing is clear — the debate over identity, space, and values in Ghana is far from over.
