James Gyakye Quayson will face imprisonment -KT Hammond asserts

The Minister for Trade and Industry, Kobina Tahir (KT) Hammond has made a statement regarding the fate of James Gyakye Quayson, the Member of Parliament for Assin-North’s prison matter.

Hammond asserted that Gyakye Quayson would be facing imprisonment, drawing a parallel with the case of Adamu Dramani Sakande, the former MP for Bawku Central, who was incarcerated for lying about his Burkinabe and British citizenships.

During an interview with Kwesi Parker-Wilson, the host of the Morning Show on Oyerepa TV, Hammond shared his views at the parliament on July 4, 2023. He emphasized that Gyakye Quayson’s situation mirrored that of Adamu Sakande, justifying the impending prison sentence.

Hammond explained, “The court follows a principle called precedence… This is the same scenario that occurred with Adamu Sakande. He (Sakande) was expelled from parliament by the same NDC (National Democratic Congress) members who took him to court. He was imprisoned and eventually passed away. It is a similar matter.”

Referring to the controversy surrounding Gyakye Quayson’s swearing-in, Hammond revealed that he had urged the former deputy Attorney General, Dominic Ayine, to advise Quayson about the historical precedents. He cautioned Quayson to leave the parliament before facing imprisonment.

Hammond emphasized, “There is a precedent; it is the same as the Adamu Sakande case. Adamu was incarcerated for holding multiple citizenships, and Quayson faced the same issue. Although Quayson has renounced his other citizenship and is solely Ghanaian now, we are referring to the laws he violated in the past.”

Additionally, KT Hammond, who represents the Adansi Asokwa constituency, criticized Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II for his disapproval of the Supreme Court’s ruling that led to Quayson’s removal from the Parliament. Hammond also condemned the Dormaahene’s call for the state to drop the criminal charges against the Assin North MP.

Adamu Dramani Sakande’s Case:

In July 2012, Adamu Dramani Sakande, a Member of Parliament for Bawku Central from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), was convicted by the Accra High Court on charges of perjury and forgery.

Sakande had failed to renounce his UK citizenship before running for the Bawku seat. Consequently, he was found guilty of perjury and forgery and received a concurrent two-year prison sentence on all counts.

A Bawku-based cattle dealer named Sumaila Bielbiel challenged the eligibility of Adamu Dramani Sakande, who held dual citizenship, to serve as the MP for Bawku Central in the legislative body.

The former MP was accused of registering as a voter and casting a vote during the December 2008 general elections, despite being ineligible to do so.

Gyakye Quayson’s Case:

On May 17, 2023, the Supreme Court of Ghana ruled that James Gyakye Quayson’s name should be expunged from the list of Members of Parliament.

The court declared that Quayson was ineligible to contest the 2020 elections in the case of Michael Ankomah Nimfah vrs James Gyakye Quayson.

According to the court, Quayson failed to provide evidence that he had renounced his Canadian citizenship when he filed his nomination for the 2020 general elections.

Subsequently, Parliament declared the Assin North seat vacant, leading the Electoral Commission of Ghana to announce a by-election on May 27, 2023, to fill the vacant seat.

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh