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The Minority in Parliament has disapproved of the Supreme Court’s decision to expel Mr. James Gyakye Quayson from the house and remove his name from the records. They believe this ruling undermines Ghana’s democracy and the rule of law.
According to the Minority’s statement, Ghanaian laws only prohibit individuals with dual citizenship from carrying out their duties as Members of Parliament. They emphasized that at the time of his election and when he took the oath of office, Mr. Quayson did not hold dual citizenship.
The statement, signed by Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, expressed bewilderment at the Supreme Court’s order to remove Mr. Quayson from parliament, considering he was duly elected as an MP. The Minority stated that while they have yet to analyze the Court’s reasoning behind the decision, it undermines Ghana’s democracy and the rule of law. They pledged to inform the public of their position once they have reviewed the Court’s reasoning and stated their intention to pursue all legal avenues to ensure justice is served.
On May 17, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Parliament of Ghana should expunge Mr. Quayson’s name from its records as an MP. The Court determined that the Electoral Commission violated the constitution by allowing him to contest the 2020 Parliamentary Elections without providing evidence of renouncing his Canadian citizenship when he filed his nomination. The Court found that Mr. Quayson needed to be qualified to file his nomination forms.
The Court declared his election unconstitutional, null, and void, ordering the removal of his name from parliamentary records and deeming his swearing-in unconstitutional.
In response to the ruling, Mr. Quayson expressed disappointment and surprise. He criticized the idea that foreign bureaucrats now have the power to determine whether natural-born Ghanaians can take part in parliamentary elections. He argued that a country that does not allow renunciation of citizenship could prevent a natural-born Ghanaian, who has severed all ties with their gained citizenship, from standing as an MP.
However, Mr. Quayson stated he has moved on from litigating this matter in Court and will leave it to the Court of Conscience.
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Source: Omanghana.com
