The Minority in Parliament skipped Thursday’s meeting in support of and solidarity with caucus members in court.
James Gyakye Quayson, the MP for Assin North, and Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, are both scheduled to appear in court on Thursday for their ongoing cases.
A criminal investigation into an alleged financial loss to the state of €2.37 million is now being conducted against Dr. Ato Forson. The agreement to buy 200 ambulances between 2014 and 2016 is the central focus of the case.
James Gyakye Quayson, on the other hand, is currently facing forgery and perjury accusations before the High Court in Accra. These accusations are related to alleged offenses that occurred before the Assin North parliamentary election in 2020.
The Minority made a brief statement in which they reaffirmed their steadfast support for their colleagues and stressed their solidarity by choosing not to take part in the day’s parliamentary business.
Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Agbodza said in a statement, “The Minority stands united with our colleagues, and as such will not be able to honour the business of the house today.”
“This is the beginning of a series of actions that the Caucus will be embarking on to end the ongoing persecution of the Minority Leader himself, the Hon. James Gyakye Quayson and the Hon. Collins Dauda. We wish to reiterate the point that amidst persecution, cooperation will suffer.”
Governs Kwame Agbodza
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the minority leader, had earlier stated that the caucus had decided to stand with James Gyakye Quayson until the conclusion of his legal proceedings.
Minority Chief Whip Criticizes AG
The Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, received a stern rebuke from the Minority caucus in Parliament for commenting on pending high-profile cases.
As stated by the Attorney General, such opinion goes beyond the bounds of legal free speech, obstructs the work of state prosecutors, and puts undue pressure on the legal system.
According to the Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza, the Attorney General does not have the right to restrict citizens’ freedom of speech. The Member of Parliament for Adaklu stressed that Ghanaians have the freedom to speak their thoughts on affairs of state but that the Attorney General is not permitted to do so.
“The Attorney-General does not possess such overreaching powers to impose fetters on free expression as he seeks to arrogate to himself. We wish to remind him that justice emanates from the people of Ghana and is administered for and on their behalf. Therefore, while it may displease him, the Ghanaian people cannot be stifled from having their say.”
Governs Kwame Agbodza
The warning from Godfred Dame, according to the Minority Chief Whip, will not deter the Minority from holding the administration responsible.
“We wish to serve notice, however, that our resilience cannot be broken, neither are we deterred by deliberate harassment and persecution laced with rabid political fanaticism by the Attorney-General to please this failed administration.
“This Attorney-General can do his worse and continue with his persecution, but that will not break the resolve of the Minority to keep holding the feet of the government to the fire of accountability.”
Governs Kwame Agbodza
A number of Chiefs and Queen mothers, including the Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, have urged the Attorney General to drop the lawsuit against James Gyakye Quayson, the MP for Assin North.
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