Don’t Contest Assin North Seat Again – Corporate Governance Lecturer to Gyakye Quayson

A corporate governance lecturer at the Central University, Dr Otchere Ankrah, has advised James Gyakye Quayson, the recently ousted MP for Assin-North, to abstain from contesting in the upcoming by-election.

He explained that Mr Quayson’s participation in the by-election may attract dire consequences if he is found guilty of the criminal charges.

“If I were his relative, I would advise him not to contest again. It’s true he is the best foot forward for the NDC, and he can win, but this is politics.

“The Attorney General is seriously seeking prosecution. If that happens, you will suffer the consequences alone. What if you win and you’re deposed again?” he queried.

Dr Ankrah indicated that the contest would be an ‘interesting’ one.

In 2022, the Attorney-General’s Office slapped Mr Quayson with charges including forgery and perjury.

He is also accused of deceiving a public officer and knowingly making a false declaration.

The case was filed after the High Court in July 2021 annulled the Assin North parliamentary election results, saying Mr Quayson was not eligible to contest the polls.

In May 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the High Court’s decision stating that Mr Quayson was not qualified at the time of filing his nomination forms.

It further held that the EC allowing him to contest when he had not shown evidence of renunciation of his citizenship of Canada is unconstitutional.

However, the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have endorsed the candidature of Mr Quayson.

The by-election is expected to come off on June 27, 2023.