Deposed Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, has officially declared his intention to contest in the Assin North by-election on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

As a consequent, he has appealed to the people of Assin North to turn up in their numbers to vote for him in the upcoming by-election.

According to him, the will of the people of Assin North must triumph. As such, the people of the constituency must vote for him to ensure resounding victory.

“Democracy must be restored. I urge you all to come out in your numbers to vote for me so I return to Parliament and continue the work I began to do on your behalf, towards advancing the Assin North development agenda.”
James Gyakye Quayson

Mr Gyakye expressed the belief that the people of Assin North, are ready for the bye-election. With this, he recounted that since last year April, when the Supreme Court stopped him from performing his duties as the constituency’s representative in Parliament, Assin North has been without representation in the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic.

Furthermore, he stated that like the people of the SALL Traditional Areas who are excluded from representation in Parliament, the people of Assin North have also been in that unacceptable situation for over a year.

“The bye-election, which must be held within thirty days of the decision of the Supreme Court, according to the Constitution (Article 112(5)), will bring an end to this situation.”
James Gyakye Quayson

Prior to this, the member of parliament for Builsa South, Dr Clement Apaak, revealed that the people of Assin North will readily vote for Mr Quayson based on his good merit. He stated that it is evident the dismissed Assin North legislator will once again win the by-election

“You can’t keep a good man down! The people of Assin North will reward Hon. Quayson for his loyalty, sacrifices and perseverance. He will be back to join us in the 8th Parliament to represent the people of Assin North. God will grant him Victory.”
Dr Clement Apaak

Also, a legal team member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, revealed that his party will still present James Gyakye Quayson as candidate for the Assin North bye-election. He indicated that the entire NDC leadership is “solidly” behind Mr Quayson to re-contest the seat despite the legal challenges.

In anticipation for the by-election, the Electoral Commission has announced and slated June 27, 2023 as the date for the by-election in accordance with Article 112(5) of the Constitution, as amended. It stated that a prospective Candidate may personally deliver or cause to be delivered on his/her behalf by either the Proposer or Seconder of his/her Nomination, the completed Nomination Forms to the Returning Officer at the Assin North District Office of the Commission.

Road construction in Assin North not for votes

Meanwhile, the Minister of Roads and Highways, Kwasi Amoako-Attah, has disclosed that the ministry will not rush to construct any road because of a by-election. He noted that the ministry would not be tempted to rush and sacrifice quality, particularly in the Assin North Constituency because there was a forthcoming by-election.

Mr Amoako-Attah explained that the ministry would ensure that Ghanaians had value for money in road construction. With this, he urged contractors working in the Assin North enclave to ensure that they undertake contracts within engineering specifications.

“The people know what we have done on roads and I am sure we will win the seat.”
Kwasi Amoako-Attah

The minister made the comments when he inspected work on the GH¢14.7million 16-kilometre (Km) Assin Asempaneye Assin Kushea road, including the Assin Kushea town roads and the Akyiano-Breman road.