The Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate Gyakye Quayson’s election as the Member of Parliament for the Assin North district has not pleased him.
He said he will not seek more lawsuits, even if he disagreed with the decision.
“I am, of course, disappointed by the Court’s decision. I am especially surprised that the Court now says that foreign bureaucrats now determine whether natural-born Ghanaians have the right to contest parliamentary elections in Ghana or not. Thus, a country that does not allow renunciation of its citizenship can bar a natural-born Ghanaian, who has severed all relations with a country of acquired citizenship, from ever standing for MP.
“Nevertheless, I have turned the page on litigating this matter in the courts of justice. I leave the matter to the court of conscience, which Ghandi reminds us, supersedes all other courts.”
Gyakye Quayson
The Supreme Court in a unanimous verdict, directed Parliament to remove James Gyakye Quayson’s name from its records as a Member of Parliament representing the Assin North constituency.
The Supreme Court’s original authority to review the constitutionality of James Gyakye Quayson’s election was invoked in the case that led to this decision.
Prior to the 2020 election, James Gyakye Quayson was charged with having a dual citizenship, which he adamantly rejected.
According to Mr. Quayson, before enabling him to run in the 2020 general elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) examined his renunciation certificate in November 2020. Regardless of all that has happened, he said he is still dedicated to the advancement of the Assin North Constituency and its residents.
“It is a matter of public record that I filed for the renunciation of my Canadian citizenship in December 2019. It is also a matter of record that I left Canada in February 2020. It is also a matter of record that as soon as I applied for renunciation of my Canadian citizenship and left Canada, I lost all the rights of Canadian citizenship.
“It is also a matter of record that I picked up my renunciation certificate from the Canadian Embassy in Accra in November 2020. It is also a matter of public record that Canadian law does not say I owe allegiance to Canada, even after filing for renunciation.”
Gyakye Quayson
He asserted that it is clear from Canadian law that disavowing loyalty is a choice that may be made at any time, including right after taking the citizenship oath. So, he had no allegiance to Canada, according to Canadian law.
He added: “Yet, the Court holds that I should have offered this proof to the EC at the time of filing for my nomination and then applies the holding retrospectively to disqualify me.”
“Helping to develop my constituency has always been, and remains, my priority. I assure my constituents that nothing has changed, and I will work even harder than before to win their support and to attain these goals.
“I thank the good people of Assin-North, the leadership of the NDC, my attorneys, and the numerous Ghanaians, from all sides of the political divide, who have supported me during these turbulent times. Together, we must ensure that we build a progressive and inclusive society that does not treat any of our citizens as second-class citizens.”
Gyakye Quayson
NDC Disagrees With Supreme Court Verdict
The Supreme Court’s order that the House strikes James Gyakye Quayson’s name from its records was viewed by the Minority in Parliament as a slap in the face of democracy and the rule of law.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, the minority leader, emphasized that Mr. Gyakye Quayson did not hold dual citizenship at the time of his election and swearing-in to the eighth parliament.
“The intention of the framers of Ghana’s constitution is not to allow a dual citizen to perform the functions of a Member 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.”
Cassiel Ato Forson
Dr. Forson, however, asserted that the Minority will later examine the court’s reasoning in its written judgment and vehemently express the caucus’s viewpoint.
The Supreme Court’s decision to have the name of Assin North Member of Parliament James Gyekye Quayson erased from records does not, according to National Democratic Congress (NDC) Director of Legal Affairs Abraham Amaliba, put an end to the situation.
He said Mr. Gyekye Quayson’s attorneys could request a review of the situation and have the ruling overturned. “It is not the end of the matter, the lawyers can go for a review,” he said.
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