The Minority in Parliament has informed the Speaker that they will abstain from participating in the House proceedings on court days concerning their colleague, James Gyakye Quayson.

The leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, stated that they will instead accompany their colleague during his court hearings.

This announcement was made by the Ajumako Enyan Essiam lawmaker on Tuesday, July 4, following the swearing-in of the Assin North MP.

“We wish to serve notice that the entire Minority will accompany our colleague today and any other day that he is to appear in court and 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.”

The former Deputy Finance Minister highlighted that Mr. Quayson's electoral success is a clear indication that Ghanaians are dissatisfied with the Akufo-Addo government.

He emphasized that this victory demonstrates that Ghanaians cannot be influenced solely by financial incentives or virtual projects in exchange 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.”

“Ghanaians are really appalled by the abysmal economic mismanagement, poor governance, and increasing level of corruption leading to the unprecedented economic hardship being experienced by the people of Ghana and the time has come for the political class to have a rethink about the worsening monetization of our elections and its negative impact for our democracy,” Dr Forson added.

James Gyakye Quayson has been officially sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Assin North on Tuesday, July 4. This follows his victory in the by-election held on Tuesday, June 27, after the Supreme Court ruled his previous election illegal.

Quayson's main opponent, Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party, secured the second position with 42.15% of valid votes. The Liberal Party of Ghana's Bernice Enam Sefanu received a minimal number of votes.

The voter turnout was reported to be high at 74.23%, according to officials of the Electoral Commission.

Quayson is currently facing charges of forgery, perjury, deceiving a public officer, and making a false declaration regarding his Canadian citizenship during the 2020 election. He has filed a motion at the High Court for a stay of proceedings pending an appeal, seeking to halt the ongoing trial until the appeal is determined.