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I’m confident the government is participating in judicial proceedings against me – Quayson

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I'm confident the government is participating in judicial proceedings against me - Quayson

James Gyakye Quayson, Member of Parliament for Assin North Constituency, has accused the Akufo-Addo government of meddling in his daily trial.

During the campaign for the Assin North by-elections, then-candidate James Gyakye Quayson was ordered to stand trial on a daily basis.

Until the trial was switched to a daily schedule, he commuted from his constituency to the court on a weekly basis.

Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Attorney General, claimed that given the allegations against Quayson, he might be convicted and imprisoned if found guilty, therefore the necessity for a speedy trial.

James Gyakye Quayson formally asked that the General Legal Council (GLC) launch disciplinary proceedings against the Attorney General in a letter.

Quayson’s request derives from charges of professional misconduct levied against Dame during his criminal trial in the High Court.

During an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Citi TV’s Face to Face, the legislator said, “The daily trial began during the 2023 campaign. I interpreted it as an attempt to prevent me from campaigning and winning the seat. That was the best they could do. I never believed that the government could be involved in the judiciary, but now I am convinced.”

“An AG can just walk into court and request that the file be moved. Before, it was mostly every two weeks, but suddenly they say I have to come every day. In fact, I was on the campaign trail. I went from my constituency to court from 12 pm to 2 pm, and then I was back in my constituency by 4 pm to campaign until about 11 pm.”

He recognised that the daily trial put some strain on him, but it had no bearing on his chances of winning the seat.

“During the elections, the pressure of the daily trial was there, but that daily trial didn’t work. I even joked that they could give me a chamber in the court, and I would still win the seat. I didn’t have to be on the grounds,” he asserted.

Asked if he was not afraid of ending up in Nsawam prison, he said, “Why should I be? I believe in the justice system. The fundamental issue in any judicial matter is whether or not the person intended to commit the crime. Did he plan it? I have not planned anything of the sort.”

Background

The High Court in Accra deferred till July 4 a motion for a stay of proceedings in the criminal prosecution of James Gyakye Quayson, the recently elected Member of Parliament for Assin North.

The trial judge, Justice Mary Yanzuh, stated that the delay was necessary since the court had not received all of the application materials.

The motion, according to Mr Quayson’s counsel, is to suspend proceedings in the High Court so that the Court of Appeal can assess whether or not the High Court was correct in ordering that Gyakye Quayson’s criminal trial be heard on a daily basis.

Mr Quayson, who was representing the Assin North seat following the 2020 elections, was booted out of Parliament when the Supreme Court ordered that his name be removed from the record.

Mr Quayson was arrested for possessing dual citizenship.

Mr Quayson won a subsequent by-election in the Assin North constituency.

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Live up to expectations and have a backup plan – Afenyo-Markin admonishes EC

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"So I am encouraging the Electoral Commission to guarantee that they have a backup mechanism because the current grievances are too numerous. And I would encourage the Electoral Commission to meet expectations. Other others, notably the National Democratic Congress (NDC)'s running mate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, have suggested that the deadline be extended to compensate for the time lost owing to technical and network issues. On the other hand, President Akufo-Addo has urged all eligible voters to register in order to strengthen Ghana's democratic process.

The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to establish a contingency plan to address the numerous issues afflicting the restricted voter registration process.

The registration process has been cumbersome, leaving many people unable to register.

Following a visit to a voter registration facility, Afenyo-Markin underlined the need of the EC to have a backup plan in place to guarantee that every eligible voter is registered before the process is completed.

“The Electoral Commission must strengthen its registration system. Obviously, if we’re all talking about network difficulties, I’m not sure they’ll be able to finish on time. It is necessary to address the frustrations and delays.

“So I am encouraging the Electoral Commission to guarantee that they have a backup mechanism because the current grievances are too numerous. And I would encourage the Electoral Commission to meet expectations.

Other others, notably the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s running mate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, have suggested that the deadline be extended to compensate for the time lost owing to technical and network issues.

On the other hand, President Akufo-Addo has urged all eligible voters to register in order to strengthen Ghana’s democratic process.

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Asiedu Nketia: The NPP should ensure a smooth transition of power to the NDC in their own interests

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"NPP must select a peaceful transition of power from NPP to NDC for their own benefit. "The 2024 elections will not be business as usual," he said. Nketiah indicated that NDC registration agents worldwide will reject any attempts by the EC to diminish transparency in the ongoing voter registration process. "We desire to serve notice, and notice is thus served, that NDC registration agents around the country will reject the EC's covert attempts to reduce transparency in the voter registration process.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reminded the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) about the importance of a seamless and peaceful transfer of power in the impending 2024 general elections.

At a news conference on Thursday, May 9, NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia raised alarm and accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of potentially assisting President Akufo-Addo’s apparent reluctance to hand over power to their nominee, John Mahama.

“We do not anticipate the Electoral Commission to be the channel via which Akufo-Addo would carry out his proclaimed refusal to give up power to the visionary, experienced, and trustworthy John Dramani Mahama.

“NPP must select a peaceful transition of power from NPP to NDC for their own benefit. “The 2024 elections will not be business as usual,” he said.

Nketiah indicated that NDC registration agents worldwide will reject any attempts by the EC to diminish transparency in the ongoing voter registration process.

“We desire to serve notice, and notice is thus served, that NDC registration agents around the country will reject the EC’s covert attempts to reduce transparency in the voter registration process.

“Let me emphasise that our agents must activate the party’s super hi-tech application systems to transmit all serial numbers of BVR kits in their districts and electoral areas to the National Elections and IT Directorate of the party, with or without the approval of the EC.”

The two major parties have already made allegations and counter-accusations of busing people to other areas to register.

The problem of minors purportedly being able to register is also rearing its ugly head in the ongoing limited voter registration.

Johnson Asiedu Nketiah issued a clarion appeal, inviting chiefs, opinion leaders, and faith-based groups to join the NDC’s push for enhanced openness and justice, which he termed as “a necessary precondition for peaceful elections,” urging them.

Meanwhile, the EC has turned down the NDC’s request for the serial numbers of the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits used in the current Limited Voter Registration.

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I’m qualified to be Ghana’s president – Bernard Mornah

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“I have also seen that because of lack of courage, our leaders have acquiesced to policies and programmes from Western and Breton Wood institutions that tend to undermine our forward growth as a nation. Thirdly I also see that it appears that sometimes we went [go] to school, and we only learn not to come and apply what we have learnt within the confines of our environment.”

Bernard Mornah, the former national chairperson of the People’s National Convention (PNC) and leader of AriseGhana, feels he is qualified to be Ghana’s next president.

He owes this to his ability to confront the greed that has engulfed the country’s leadership, as well as his bravery in enacting measures that would benefit the country.

In an interview on Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Thursday, Mr. Mornah stated that he may not be qualified to be an MP for a constituency, but he is qualified to be the President of the nation.

“There are several causes, but first and foremost, I believe that our leadership’s selfishness has ruined our economy and obscured our country’s future.

“I have also seen that because of lack of courage, our leaders have acquiesced to policies and programmes from Western and Breton Wood institutions that tend to undermine our forward growth as a nation. Thirdly I also see that it appears that sometimes we went [go] to school, and we only learn not to come and apply what we have learnt within the confines of our environment.”

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