The Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is patting the re-elected MP for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.

Although Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu admitted that Mr Quayson’s victory in the Assin North by-election is a “peak victory that will hurt the pride of the NPP,” he gave the assurance that the NPP will accept the decision made by electorates of Assin North.

“Indeed, we must congratulate him. That is the choice made by the people of Assin North, and we must, everybody must respect that while it lasts,” Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stated while addressing parliament on Tuesday, July 4 after Mr Quayson was sworn-in.

Notwithstanding the Majority Leader’s congratulatory message to his colleague, he cautioned Mr Quayson of the impermanent nature of his term in office as an MP.

Alluding to the impending prosecution against the incumbent MP, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stated Mr Quayson’s fate in the House at present, is dependent on the verdict of the Attorney-General.

“Mr Speaker, the rest of it, as we move from here, is in the hands of the Attorney-General,” the legislator stressed.

He also maintained that the chances of Mr Quayson staying in office for long were very low.

Moreover, the Majority Leader added that, “the parliamentary group of the NPP also believes that this is a momentary victory of phantasmal character that certainly will not last.

Despite Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s warning, he said that the Majority Caucus is ready to welcome Mr Quayson into parliament.

The Majority Leader told the House that “While he [Gyakye Quayson] remains here, we can only embrace him as a Member of Parliament, and we welcome him here to be part of the fraternity while it lasts.”

Meanwhile, the NPP has since congratulated Mr Quayson for his victory in the Assin North by-election.

According to the party, the NDC’s victory in the by-election adds to Ghana’s democratic credentials.

“Indeed, the recent two by-elections have demonstrated the strength of the country’s democracy with outcomes favouring different political parties. This is a testament to Ghana’s much touted accolade as a bastion.”

Background

James Gyakye Quayson was officially sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Assin North today, Tuesday, July 4, after winning the by-election held on Tuesday, June 27.

His election victory comes after the Supreme Court ruling on May 17, which declared his previous election illegal prohibited him from holding the position.

However, he successfully reclaimed his seat in the by-election and now assumes his role as the representative of Assin North.

His main rival, Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party polled 12,630 or 42.15% of valid votes to place second, while the Liberal Party of Ghana’s Bernice Enam Sefanu polled only 87 votes or 0.29%.

With a turnout of 74.23%, officials of the Electoral Commission indicated that the turnout was very high.

Mr Quayson is being tried for forgery and perjury after he was charged by the Attorney-General’s Office.

He is also accused of deceiving a public officer and knowingly making a false declaration when he filed nominations to contest in the 2020 election when he had not renounced his Canadian citizenship.

However, he has filed a motion on notice at the High Court for a stay of proceedings, pending an appeal.

The applicant is praying the court for an order to stay the proceedings in the court pending the determination of the appeal filed in the Court on June 27, 2023.