Assin North MP Defies Court Order, Shows Up In Parliament To Partake In Proceedings

James Gyakye Quayson, embattled lawmaker for Assin North Constituency was seen in Parliament on Thursday August 5, a week after a Cape Coast High Court judgement was pronounced against him.

The court presided over by Justice Kwasi Boakye, ordered for fresh elections to be conducted in the Assin North constituency.

The case of the petitioner is that the MP at the time of filing to contest the 2020 parliamentary elections, had not renounced his Canadian citizenship and thus held dual nationality.

Handing his judgement, the judge said the MP, Joe Gyaakye Quayson violated constitutional provisions and other statutory provisions that guide Ghana’s elections. Fresh elections were, as a result, ordered to be conducted while Mr Gyakye Quayson was asked to cease from holding himself as MP.

With his appearance in Parliament, many believe the MP may have been in breach of contempt of court, however, reports indicate that that his lawyers have filed a stay of execution of the July 28 judgement, pending hearing on the appeal filed by his party.

Interacting with his constituents on August 2, 2021, Mr Quayson insisted he remains the legislator for the area and he’ll not be intimidated by anybody.

“When Kwame Nkrumah wanted to save Ghana, he was frustrated by these same people, he was imprisoned…and from there he became the Prime Minister; in South Africa, Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 26-years, so, there are some people in this world that when they have some good intentions for their people, they are frustrated…it will not be forever; their days are measured.

“If I have devoted my life to fight for the [people of Assin North], you need to stand by me so that we can fight together…I’m being targeted not because of my party but the development of Assin North…I didn’t become an MP because I want to amass wealth but for the youth and vulnerable of Assin North…”

Source: GhanaFeed.com