The leader and 2024 flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has congratulated the newly sworn in Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.

Mr Mahama in his congratulatory message in a Facebook post on Wednesday, July 5, urged the lawmaker not to renege on his duties to his constituents. 

“What man attempts to put asunder; the Good Lord tightly holds together. 

“Congratulations, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson, on your swearing-in, yet again, twice within the same parliamentary term, as the Member of Parliament for the Assin North Constituency,” he wrote.

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

His election victory comes after a Supreme Court ruling on May 17, which declared his previous election illegal and 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.

Read more: Majority missing as Minority-filled Parliament swears in Gyakye Quayson

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.

Read more: We must respect the choice of Assin North people – Majority Leader on Quayson's re-election

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. 

Read more: All NDC MPs will accompany Gyakye Quayson to court on any day he is to appear – Ato Forson

Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned to Thursday, July 6, for arguments by the lawyers.