The Minority Members of Parliament have served notice that they will not participate in the business of the House as long as the Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson appears in court.
The Speaker, Alban Bagbin, swore into office Quayson as Assin North MP on Tuesday, July 4 following his re-election last week.
In a show of solidarity, Minority Leader Cassiel Ato Forson announced that the entire Minority caucus will accompany Mr. Quayson to court, expressing their disapproval of what they perceive as ongoing persecution against him.
“We wish to serve notice that the entire Minority will accompany our colleague today and any other days that he is to appear in court. We are solidarising with our colleague and we will not participate in the business of the House anytime our colleague is in court and we will be withdrawing from the Chamber after this ceremony if the court processes happen today.”
Mr. Forson added that Mr. Quayson’s victory is a bold statement to all politicians that Ghanaians cannot be swayed by money for votes.
“The people of Assin North have sent a clear message to all politicians and the government of the day especially, that they cannot be lured with money, not be intimidated by threats and it is the same message that Ghanaians are sending to us that in the year 2024, they will exercise their franchise based on their conscience and no amount of threats will dissuade them from voting out the administration that we are witnessing.”
Mr Quayson is facing criminal charges brought against him after he lost his seat as Member of Parliament for Assin North for allegedly failing to renounce his dual citizenship status before filing to contest the 2022 parliamentary elections.
Meanwhile, there have been appeals for the Attorney General to file a nolle prosequi to discontinue the prosecution.