Supreme Court’s Decision On Gyakye Quayson A Slap In The Face Of Our Democracy – Minority

The Minority in Parliament has described the Supreme Court ruling to expunge James Gyakye Quayson’s name from Parliament’s records as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North as a slap in the face of democracy.

A statement from the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, on Wednesday, May 17, expressed his side’s disagreement with the ruling.

The Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, for Parliament to remove Gyakye Quayson’s name from its records as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North.

It was a unanimous decision taken by a seven-member panel made up of Nene Amegatcher, Prof. Henrietta Mensah Bonsu, Mariama Owusu, Gertrude Torkornoo, Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi and Barbara Frances Ackah-Yensu.

The panel ruled that James Gyakye Quayson was not qualified at the time of nomination to qualify for the Assin North parliamentary elections in 2020.

The Supreme Court further ruled that the action by the Electoral Commission (EC) to allow Mr Quayson to contest when he had not shown his certificate of renunciation of his citizenship of Canada was unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect.

Additionally, the apex court said the swearing of Mr Quayson into office as MP for Assin North was also unconstitutional.

However, according to Dr Ato Forson, Mr Quayson was not a dual citizen as of the time of election and taking the oath of office into the Eighth Parliament.

“The intention of the framers of Ghana’s constitution is not to allow a dual citizen to perform the functions of Parliament.

“It is therefore baffling that the Supreme Court could direct the removal from Parliament of such a person who has been duly elected as a Member of Parliament,” he said.

The Minority Leader added that his side was yet to study the reasoning of the court in making its decision.

Below is the full statement from the Minority