Gyakye Quayson court case has nothing to do with politics – President Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said the court case involving the former National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, has nothing to do with politics.

He explained that it is the laws of the country that are at play. The President said it is preposterous for former President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC to accuse the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government of having a hand in the former MP’s court cases.

President Akufo-Addo said this at a mammoth rally at Assin Breku in the Central Region on Sunday to climax the NPP campaign for the Assin North by-election.

Gyakye Quayson’s election as MP in 2020 was declared null and void by the Supreme Court for having dual citizenship thus, necessitating a by-election in the constituency in which he is contesting on the ticket of the NDC.

He is currently facing three charges of false declaration of office, perjury and deceiving a public officer at the High Court, Accra.

Disingenuous
Making reference to a similar case of dual citizenship that led to the imprisonment of the then MP for Bawku Central, Adamu Dramani Sakande, the President questioned former President Mahama and the NDC whether that also had to do with politics.

On July 27, 2012, the late Adamu Dramani Sakande, was sentenced to two years in prison by a High Court after being found guilty of false declaration of office, perjury and deceiving a public officer.

He queried : “This case happened when former President John Mahama was in government. Is the former President telling us that his government had a hand in it?”

Ghana laws at play
President Akufo-Addo stated that the NPP government is not doing anything to put fear into Gyakye Quayson adding that, it is the laws of the land that are frightening him. “ I have not manipulated the law to frighten anyone since I became President. When you are caught by the law, that is it,” President Akufo-Addo stated.

He, therefore asked the electorate to vote for the NPP candidate, Charles Opoku who has no court case hanging on his neck.

Vote for Opoku
President Akufo-Addo told the cheering crowd that until January 7, 2025, it is NPP that is in power. Therefore, the people of Assin North need to elect someone who can work with him and bring development to them and not the one who says even if he is in prison the people will vote for him.

“You need someone who will help me to develop the country. Don’t make the mistake to vote for someone who is always in court,” he admonished the people.

President Akufo-Addo said Charles Opoku has already shown his love for the constituency and it is appropriate that he is elected as MP.

The President said in the 2020 general elections, he won the presidential polls but the NPP parliamentary candidate lost in what was “skirt and blouse” voting. That, he said has not brought anything good to the constituency as the MP has always been in court.

NDC has no record
With the chanting of “biribi besi” a Twi expression meaning “something is bound to happen” coming from the elated supporters, the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia mounted the podium to address the supporters.

He responded, “biribi rebesi ampa” to wit , truly, something is bound to happen. He said the records of the Akufo-Addo led-government largely surpass that of the NDC. “I’m wondering what NDC is saying here. All the development projects in Assin North are from NPP,” he said