By: Edzorna Francis Mensah
“Any day James Gyakye Quayson goes to court, the Minority would not attend upon the House of Parliament”, this is the threat issued by Minority Leader on July 4, 2023, when he was called upon to welcome the newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.
The Minority in Parliament through its leader, Dr. Cassie Ato Forson issued the notice of their intention to boycott parliamentary business on days when the newly elected Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson will appear in court.
According to the Minority Leader, all NDC MPs will follow their colleague to the court in a show of solidarity, hence, their stance to abstain from Parliament.
This comes after Mr. Quayson was sworn in as an MP for Assin North on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
Welcoming the MP back to the House after he was removed by the Supreme Court last month, the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, announced that the entire caucus will accompany Mr. Quayson to court and refrain from engaging in the business of the House on those specific days.
“This decision aims to protest what the Minority perceives as persistent persecution against Mr Quayson” he added.
“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.”
Touching on the victory of Mr. Quayson in last week’s by-election, the Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam MP said the win sends a powerful message to all politicians, asserting that Ghanaians cannot be swayed by monetary inducements 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.”
