The Assin North Deputy NADMO Director, Elisher Sarpong, told Adom News that the bird had wounds on both wings, indicating it may have suffered a gunshot or another severe attack.

According to the young farmer, Ebenezer Lativi, he first noticed bloodstains on leaves on his farm, which raised alarm. Upon searching the area, he discovered the bleeding bird with a metal ring around its leg.

The inscription on the ring reads “BRUSSELS” with an identification code H220252, and includes details linked to the Brussels Museum of Natural Sciences, as well as the website www.ring.ac.

The bird was initially taken to the Assin North veterinary officer for medical treatment before being transported to the Kumasi Zoo for safe keeping.

The community was reportedly in shock following the rescue. Some residents jokingly suggested the bird was on a “special mission” from Europe, while others speculated it was monitoring the NPP Presidential Primaries. Residents holding these opinions, however, declined to speak on record.

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The suspects are currently in the custody of the Central North Police Command’s Anti-Galamsey Taskforce.

They have been identified as Duut Kwabena Sakakba, 38, Douglas Nyamekye, 36, Ma Jian, 37 (Chinese), Ma Young, 31 (Chinese), and Ma Haibi, 54 (Chinese).

Reports indicate that their illegal mining activities have caused severe pollution of the river, which serves as a crucial water source for the surrounding communities.

The suspects are awaiting court proceedings, as confirmed by a statement from the Central North Regional Police Command. During the operation, two excavators with chassis numbers SY 6HK1-XABEA-01-C3 and SWE365E00762 were seized.

The operators of these excavators fled the scene upon seeing the police task force, taking the ignition keys with them.

Additionally, a Toyota Hilux with registration number GE-2743-13 was impounded at the site.

The police are working to transport the excavators to a secure location and are tracking the owners of the equipment to make further arrests.

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Mr Quayson polled 18,023 votes, representing 56.35% of the total votes.

His main contender, Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) obtained 13,599 votes, representing 42.52%.

The landslide victory reaffirms Mr Quayson’s grip on the constituency despite legal challenges and opposition from the NPP.

His political journey which began in the 2020 election was marked by controversy over a dual citizenship with Canada.

He was found to have violated Article 94(2)(a) of Ghana’s Constitution with his election annulled by the Supreme Court.

He, however, won the seat and returned to parliament in a by-election held on June 27, 2023, and was sworn in on July 4, 2023.

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Mr. Quayson encountered legal obstacles, including an injunction questioning his eligibility to hold office due to alleged dual citizenship with Canada and Ghana.

On May 17, 2023, the Supreme Court deemed his election unconstitutional, ultimately declaring the Assin North seat vacant. This decision, reached unanimously by a seven-member panel, instructed Parliament to remove Quayson’s name as MP.

Undeterred, Mr. Quayson remained resolute and contested the by-election, successfully reclaiming his seat despite the setbacks.

Speaking with Onua News at Kotoka International Airport, Mr. Quayson expressed that he endured the hardships out of deep commitment to his people and a genuine desire to serve.

He was at the airport to join jubilant National Democratic Congress MPs, chiefs, and supporters in welcoming Jomoro MP, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, who was returning from the United States after receiving medical treatment following a serious accident in August.

“I came back to help build the country. Take my case for instance, if not for the love I have for Assin North like per what I went through I would have withdrawn”.

“But I could not betray the people because of the love I have for them and the party,” he stressed.

He pledged to continue serving his people yet prayed Ghanaians would vote massively for the NDC in the upcoming December 7 general elections to enable the party form the next government to reset the country.

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The items include new vehicle tyres to replace worn ones, as well as several adjustable beds to facilitate hospital patient care, transportation and referrals.

The ambulance serves more than 58 communities through its digitalized management system, integrated with the National Digital Property Address System.

It was grounded due to tire failure, creating a huge vacuum in residents’ emergency health services.

Numerous appeals to the District Assembly and other corporate entities to support the maintenance of the ambulance fell on deadly ears.

Alternatively, residents in hard-to-reach communities had to resort to the services of private facilities to respond to serious health emergencies at exorbitant prices.

Others relied on services from neighboring districts such as Adansi South District in the Ashanti Region, Assin Fosu Municipality, Birim South District in the Eastern Region and Twifo Atti-Morkwa District in the Central Region.

Presenting the items on behalf of the MP, Mr Sylvester Amakye Nyarkoh, the National Democratic Congress Electoral Officer and Director of Communications for Assin North Constituency, emphasized the MP’s commitment to improving the welfare of residents.

He said as much, which was reflected in his quick response to the agency’s request to ensure an effective emergency medical service to help improve the district’s emergency response capabilities.

Mr. Obed Adu Sarkodie, the Advance Emergency Medical Technologist (AEMT) in the district, expressed the ordeal of the service and was grateful to the Member of Parliament for the gesture.

“We are pleased to say that the wait is finally over and that the ambulance is now fit for purpose and ready for use. We need such support to provide pre-hospital emergency care to road traffic victims, domestic, industrial and medical cases.

“We provide standby emergency coverage during mass public gatherings and liaise with other emergency services in times of disasters or incidents with many casualties,” he indicated, urging voters to continue to support him and pray for him to to facilitate ongoing development projects.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commissioned and distributed 307 ambulances in the year 2020 to help improve the operations of the service.

The new ambulances were distributed to all 275 constituencies in Ghana in implementation of the government’s 2016 election campaign to help improve emergency healthcare.

According to the Ministry of Health, before the introduction of the 307 ambulances, there were only 50 functioning ambulances.

Due to his health issues, the MP had been absent from parliament for almost the entirety of the last session.

Speaking to the media in Parliament, Mr Gyakye Quayson assured that he was healthy and ready to work for his constituents and Ghana as a whole.

“I am alive and strong…Sometimes in life, you have to take care of yourself. I am back in full swing and I am going to take care of my constituents, caucus and country Ghana,” he said.

The Assin North MP was also confident of the NDC’s win in the upcoming general elections stating “We are going to win and we are going to succeed again. Let’s keep hope alive.”

Mr Gyakye Quayson has been embroiled in legal battles since he was voted as MP in the 2020 general elections.

After a long legal battle on whether or not he could present himself as MP, the Supreme Court ordered his name be expunged from parliament and another election was held in the constituency.

Subsequently, the MP was put forth again by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the bye-election and claimed the seat in Assin North.

In that poll, Gyakye Quayson emerged victorious after polling 17,245 votes representing 57.56%.

However, following this, he was once again slapped with charges including forgery and perjury by the Attorney- General’s Office.

He is also accused of deceiving a public officer and knowingly making a false declaration.

Amid that battle, Gyakye Quayson was flown to Canada to undergo a critical health emergency, in November 2023.

Tsatsu Tsikata, lawyer for Gyakye Quayson told the Accra High Court trying him for alleged perjury and forgery over his acquisition of a Ghanaian passport.

When JoyNews, Kwaku Asante asked him about the progress of the case, the MP it would not be productive to talk about the case while in court. He said, “it is not a black-and-white situation, we have to allow time and let the legal system do its work.”

According to the farmer, while returning from the farm, his dog which was trailing by a few meters, suddenly started barking.

When he turned to find out what was happening, he was shocked to see a python attempting to suffocate and devour the dog.

The farmer said after seeing the dog struggling with the python to free itself, he mustered courage and struck the reptile with a cutlass.

However, the injured python turned its anger at him and started chasing him. But after giving the animal a gap, he mapped up another strategy and succeeded in hacking the python, leading to its death.

The residents were shocked when he removed the python from the sack and saw its full length.

In an interview with Kasapa News, the farmer disclosed that he would sell it for Gh¢600.00 to traditional medicine practitioners since the snake possesses fat that can be used for treating certain ailments, including toothache, boils, clearing of stretch marks and scars.

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He clarified that although he has been charged with perjury and forgery, he is confident in Ghana’s criminal justice system.

“No, why should I? I believe in the justice system, I’m sure. All I know is that the fundamental issue about any judicial matter is – did that person intend to commit the crime? Did he plan it, I have not planned anything of such,” he said.

Speaking in an interview on Accra-based Citi TV on Tuesday, August 22, Mr Quayson expressed his belief that he will be exonerated from all accusations.

“So I don’t fear going to jail, not at all. ..My strongest conviction is that this is just a matter of time and that when you believe you have done the right thing, you shouldn’t be afraid.”

The Assin North MP emphasised that he obtained his dual citizenship through the Ministry of Interior where he was asked to submit both his Ghanaian and Canadian passports.

He maintained that the dual citizenship allowed him to travel freely between Ghana and Canada without the need for a visa. 

“How can a person hold dual citizenship – you know we get dual citizenship through the Ministry of Interior where you have to present your two passports. Your Ghanaian passport and your Canadian passport and then they give you a green certificate.

“So, from 2009 to the time I became solely Ghanaian, I was traveling from Canada to Ghana without a visa. The Ghanaian authorities even recognised me as a dual citizen person so how can that same person be applying or renewing their passport and say I don’t have any other nationality?” Mr Quayson stressed.

To this end, the Assin North MP expressed surprise with regards to the criminal case against him noting that “it doesn’t make sense unless they also don’t check their own records.”

He expressed the hope that the court would give a positive verdict in the case.

“I trust my lawyers, I trust the conscience of the people. If they ask me again to run for Assin North seat, I would,” he said.

Prior to the 2020 parliamentary election, Mr Quayson had initiated moves with an application to renounce his Canadian citizenship but had not received his renunciation certificate at the time of filing with the EC to contest.

Per the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the 1992 Constitution, since Quayson had not received his renunciation certificate, he was still a Canadian citizen at the time he filed with the Electoral Commission to contest the 2020 election, and so he was therefore not qualified.

The 2020 parliamentary election results at Assin North was therefore annulled and the seat was declared vacant.

With his Canadian citizenship renunciation certificate currently in his grip as he received it later in 2020, he was therefore now qualified to contest and so the NDC gave him the nod to re-contest.

He won the by-election massively, and has since been sworn in as the Member of parliament, although his criminal trial is still ongoing.

James Gyakye Quayson, who was the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the Assin North by-election, emerged victorious in the polls.

At the end of the by-election on June 27, 2023, Mr Quayson polled 17,245 votes representing 57.56 percent of the total votes cast to beat Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and Bernice Enyonam Sefenu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG).

Charles Opoku polled 12,630 votes, representing 42.15 percent of the total votes cast in the hotly contested by-election, while the LPG’s Bernice Enyonam Sefenu polled a paltry 87 votes (0.29%).

Gyakye Quayson, who won the seat in the 2020 polls with 17,498 votes, was kicked out of Parliament for having dual citizenship prior to filing his nomination forms.

The Assin North seat became vacant after the Supreme Court ordered Parliament to expunge Gyakye Quayson’s name from its records in a ruling on May 17.

The Supreme Court ruled that Mr Quayson was not qualified to contest the 2020 parliamentary election in the Assin North Constituency at the time he filed his nomination forms on October 9, 2020.

Prior to the by-election, there were counter-accusations of vote-buying by the New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress (NDC), during the by-elections.

But speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu, on Citi TV’s Face to Face, Mr Quayson rubbished claims that he gave out money to voters to influence their voting pattern.

According to him, the items shared amongst voters were geared towards their needs, adding that they had already made a request before the by-election.

“I never gave out money for votes, if I gave anything, it was logistics geared towards the needs of the people. I gave out machetes for their farms and weedicides. I don’t call that vote buying. These are items I wish I could get for them, maybe the timing. If it’s the timing you are talking about, I don’t even think it’s a problem. Even last week, we got some Wellington boots and weedicides from the government’s Common Fund, and I went to distribute them. In fact, I just came back just yesterday.”

“We have to explain the process and how certain things happen. Consider an MP who has been restricted for over a year, 14 months to be precise. Until the time of the by-elections, April 2022 until June 2023. My engagement with them could even be perceived as breaching the law. Don’t carry yourself as an MP, and suddenly the opportunity avails itself, there was a by-election. The people had already expressed some of the things they needed, I will never give them what they don’t need”.

The Assin North MP stated that the items he dashed out to the voters were things he had listed to give to his constituents.

“I had a list of communities that needed boreholes, community centres and all the items they needed, so I focused on those lists. For the past 14 months, I couldn’t do it, and I said here is my list, this is what I can do for the people”.

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Johnson Asiedu Nketia has said it was a step in the right direction, considering it was the topmost priority of parliament within the bye-election period.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) accused the NDC of telling constituents in Assin North that they were seeking to remove NDC candidate, Jamea Gyakye Quayson to enable government to get enough numbers in Parliament to legalise homosexuality in Ghana.

The NPP claimed that given the disapproval Ghanaians have about LGBTQI, NDC sought to capitalize on it to cause disaffection for the NPP.

But Asiedu Nketia on Asempa FM, Ekosii Sen, stated the NDC members did nothing wrong in disseminating that information.

‘What wasn’t proper? What was happening in Parliament? Were they not considering the LGBTQI+ bill? The opposition has been able to state our clear stance on LGBTQI+, but the President hasn’t been able to do that so what is wrong if our people say they want the majority to pass it?” he queried.

The NDC Chairman emphasised the NPP should not be pained about such things, given the propaganda and falsehoods they publicised about former President John Mahama.

“The NPP has done worst things to us. They claimed our guinea fowls flew to Burkina Faso and never returned, among other things, so I don’t see anything wrong with this,” he said.

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According to him, he used to get very emotional and in tears anytime he mounted a podium to address constituents ahead of the June 27 bye-election.

This, he explained, was as a result of his ongoing trial which was affecting the Assin North constituency.

However, his victory has strengthened him to withstand all the odds that may arise in his political career.

Mr Quayson made these remarks while addressing Assin North constituents during a thanksgiving service to mark his re-election on Sunday.

“From 2020 till the day we held the elections, many of you realised I get emotion whenever I stood in front of you to speak and it was because I was worried about what my people were going through.

“God has blessed us and has been grateful. I, James Gyason will not cry again because you have made me, Assin North, Ghana and Africa victorious,” he said amidst loud cheers from the people present.

In a bye-election held on June 27, 2023, Mr Quayson beat the NPP’s Charles Opoku to retain the seat for the NDC.

He had 57.56% of all votes cast while Charles Opoku got 42.155 of votes cast. The Liberal Party of Ghana’s Bernice Sefenu got 0.29%.

The exercise was necessitated by a Supreme Court ruling that the Electoral Commission (EC) acted unconstitutionally in allowing Mr Quayson to contest the 2020 parliamentary election without proof of him renouncing his Canadian Citizenship.

The apex court, therefore, ordered parliament to expunge Mr Quayson’s name from its records as a Member of Parliament as his election and swearing-in were unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, on the back of this declared the seat vacant with the EC directed to hold a fresh election.

Meanwhile, Mr Quayson is still facing charges of perjury and forgery bothering on whether he had renounced his Canadian citizenship at the time he filed his nomination forms to contest the 2020 polls.

There are currently calls for the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, to discontinue the case.

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On Sunday, July 9, 2023, the party held a thanksgiving service to express their gratitude to God and the constituents for their overwhelming support.

Ahead of the bye-election on June 27, 2023, DJ Azonto’s Fa ne fom song was the tune on the lip of every NDC member as they combed through the length and breadth of Assin North with their campaign messages.

The song, according to them, was to remind voters about their candidate, James Gyakye Quayson’s position (number three) on the ballot paper.

At the all-white thanksgiving service which attracted several NDC stalwarts, the song featured once again and Mr Mahama and General Mosquito could not help but display some dance moves.

In what appeared as an infectious move, the former President clapped and dance on his chair as he exhibited the signature fa no fom move thus picking something from the floor not long after Mr Nketia displayed a similar act.

The video shared by a TikTok user, Mista Opare, has attracted hilarious reactions about their moves.

Watch the video below:

@mista_opare John with some dance moves at the Assin North thanks giving…#CapCut #YouthPower #foryoupage #viraltiktok #viraltiktok #viral #JM2024 #fyp #fypシ #viralvideo #foryou #TheGhanaWeWant ♬ Fa No Fom – DJ Azonto

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Mr Otoo, who is a stalwart of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has said it will be good for the party to do that for the sake of future elections in the constituency.

“In the matter of negotiations, if we [NPP] want to win elections in Assin North next time and we go on with this trend and then we convict him, in the likely event that we convict him, and then he gets out again, we are going to go into another bye-election, this time not with him, but what will the people of Assin North think of the NPP?

“Will they be ever comfortable voting us into power, will they decide never to forgive us anymore? This is what we should be looking at,” he admonished in an interview on Accra-based Citi FM.

His comment was a reaction to a call by the Dormaahene and President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, to the President, Nana Akufo-Addo, to intervene in the prosecution of Mr Quayson.

Speaking at the 10th-anniversary lecture of John Evans Atta Mills, in Sunyani, Osagyefo Agyemang Badu, who’s a sitting High Court Judge, known in judicial practice as His Lordship, Justice Daniel Mensah, insisted the President should take steps to halt the trial.

He also called on the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame “to as a matter of urgency file a nolle prosequi to end that particular decision.”

The chief’s comment has widely been condemned with the Attorney General describing it as unhealthy while Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has also indicated it can affect his promotion as a judge.

However, the former Ghana High Commissioner to Canada, noted a discontinuation of the case does not lie solely with the Attorney General, adding he can only take the action upon cabinet approval.

“It will be a good thing to enter a nolle prosequi and stop all this to show more maturity but you cannot as an Attorney-General do it on your own, you are not independent, you are part of a whole.

“The Attorney-General is bound by Cabinet decision and Cabinet secrecy even if he disagrees, once it has been taken, you are bound. So, if you ask me, what I will tell you is that there is the need for some negotiation, a broader conversation on the matter,” he explained.

Mr Quayson is facing criminal charges brought against him after he lost his seat as Member of Parliament for Assin North for allegedly failing to renounce his dual citizenship status before filing to contest the 2022 parliamentary elections.

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Mr Quayson was elected again as MP after the Supreme Court on May 17, declared that he was illegally elected and must be banned from holding himself as such.

Whilst Mr Quayson is being sworn in, he is expected to be at the High Court to begin his daily trial on the forgery case against him.

Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has described the daily trial as unacceptable. 

“We just have elected a fresh MP and I have to go and swear him in to start his work. The same thing I complained about is still happening. They are chasing after him, and trying to prosecute him, even though, we know that, what they are talking about, there are even more of us who have the same thing, but they are not being prosecuted,” Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin stated.

Mr Quayson was successfully re-elected in a bye-election for the Assin North constituency, garnering 57.56 percent of the total votes cast.

He secured 17,245 votes, defeating Charles Opoku of the NPP, who received 42.15 percent of the votes, and Bernice Enyonam Sefenu of the Liberal Party of Ghana, who garnered a mere 0.29 percent.

The ceremony has been set for 10:00 am at Parliament House.

Mr Quayson won a bye-election at Assin North last Tuesday, retaining the seat for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) with 17,245 of the total valid votes cast.

His closest contender, Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) polled 12, 630.

The exercise became necessary after Parliament wrote to the Electoral Commission (EC) to declare the seat vacant.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had ruled that the EC acted unconstitutionally in allowing Mr Quayson to contest the 2020 parliamentary election without proof of his renouncing his Canadian citizenship.

The apex court in its ruling ordered parliament to expunge Mr Quayson’s name from its records as a Member of Parliament.

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The NDC’s Spokesperson says the ruling party attempted to bribe the Assin North MP-elect, James Gyakye Quayson not to contest the by-election. 

According to him, they threatened to jail him after they failed to get him to stand down. 

In a Facebook post on Monday, July 3, the outspoken politician commended Mr Quayson for his unwavering commitment to his constituents and the NDC as a whole. 

“Folks, not much has been said about the relentlessness of the MP-elect for Assin North, without which victory may have eluded us.”

“They tried to bribe him to back off. When they failed, they threatened him with jail. But in all these things, he was unwavering in his commitment and love for his people.”

“Always calm but confident; humble but courageous; sober but inspiring; meek but fearless,” his Facebook post said. 

Mr Gyamfi thus urged all Ghanaians to emulate such characteristics in their daily lives. 

“His personal conviction and determination to fight for justice against all odds, even at the risk of losing his civil liberties, is the reason we are smiling today. 

“Join me celebrate the First Gentleman of the good people of Assin North, the Old Soldier, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson.”

James Gyakye Quayson of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will return to Parliament after his constituents kept faith with him and helped him win the keenly contested Assin North constituency by-election on Tuesday.

Officials of the Electoral Commission declared Quayson the victor, raising his hand to signal the status as NDC officials broke into their ‘Revo, Revo, has come to stay’ chorus.

Mr Quayson, ejected from Parliament last month following a Supreme Court decision to annul the 2020 constituency election, won the closely contested by-election with 17,245 votes representing 57.56% of valid votes.

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 (EC), in interviews shortly ahead of the declaration of results, indicated that the turnout was very high.

Meanwhile, Mr Quayson is facing criminal charges brought against him by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice for allegedly failing to renounce his dual citizenship status before filing to contest the 2022 parliamentary elections.

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, 2023.

This follows his victory in the recently held bye-election in the constituency.

The exercise became necessary after Parliament wrote to the Electoral Commission to declare the seat vacant.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had ruled that the Electoral Commission acted unconstitutionally in allowing Mr Quayson to contest the 2020 parliamentary election without proof of his renouncing his Canadian citizenship.

The apex court in its ruling ordered parliament to expunge Mr Quayson’s name from its records as a Member of Parliament.

It further declared that his election was unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect. His swearing-in was equally declared to be unconstitutional.

Subsequently, the Attorney General charged the former MP with forgery and perjury.

Speaking to JoyNews, Mr Quayson, who was in court this morning for his criminal trial, said the electorate within his constituency cannot be swayed by the governing New Patriotic Party.

“When it comes to the people of Assin North, nothing can break us apart. And if they (NDC) want to go for a bye-election 10 times, I will win 10 times. I can assure you that.

“They are not in for money, they are in for real development and what I can say is that I am the first gentleman of Assin North now,” he stressed.

Background

Mr Quayson won the bye-election with 17,245 votes representing 57.56% of valid votes.

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%.

In the 2020 Parliamentary election at Assin North, Mr Quayson won with 17,498 votes representing 55.21 per cent as against the then NPP candidate Abena Durowaa Mensah’s 14,193 votes representing 44.79 per cent.

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Prof Ransford Gyampo noted that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) seemed to have underestimated the voters’ capacity to interpret hidden meanings and intentions behind some strategies implemented.

Prof Gyampo further elaborated that the residents comprehended the motives behind the sudden surge in developmental projects and the attempts at vote buying.

As a result, the lecturer believes they chose to “teach them [NPP] a lesson” by voting for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, James Gyakye Quayson.

“The arrogant display of vote-buying; hurriedly going to construct roads, hurriedly going to commission new projects and then when you are quizzed, what you are told is that these were the projects that were already implemented and so they were already programmes that we were doing…” played a role in the decisions made by the residents.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, the Professor said considering the fact that the Assin North electorate saw what ensued at Kumawu, using the same strategy was “quite insulting to the intelligence of the people of Ghana and it’s about time they change that strategy.”

“Because we know anytime there’s going to be bye-election, shoddy roads will be constructed and the moment bye-elections are over, the project will be discontinued. When you go at them then they tell you that it was on our radar. We’re going to construct it anyway, it was not because of the bye-election,” he said on Thursday, June 29.

“We are not daft people. The people of Assin North, they too they are not dumb. They are able to read in between the lines. So if you’re a politician and you keep on resorting to this particular stomach direction, vote-buying attitude that you cannot think to vary your strategy in the light of the fact that people are now rational, then you yourself, you are more dumb than the people you are thinking are dumb”.

This was not the only reason he believes the NDC won the election. Another factor, the political scientist says, is the ongoing legal battle against James Gyakye Quayson.

On the night before the election, President Akufo-Addo, in a last-minute attempt to ramp up support for the NPP candidate, told the residents that they risk having a Member of Parliament embroiled in legal tussles by voting for Mr Gyakye Quayson.

Prof Gyampo says this was a mistake on the president’s part as far as election strategy is concerned as he rather courted more sympathy for the NDC.

“He [Akufo-Addo] made him popular, and then given what was happening to him or what is still happening to him and the fact that you have had a whole sitting President going to make a prejudicial comment that the man is already on his way to prison forgetting that Kwame Nkrumah won an election when he was already in incarceration. And I was surprised that the President didn’t know apart from the fact that the comments, were too prejudicial, he didn’t know that that comment could also elicit more sympathy for the man.”

Background

James Gyakye Quayson of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will be making a return to Parliament after his constituents kept faith with him and helped him win the keenly contested Assin North constituency by-election on Tuesday.

Officials of the Electoral Commission declared Quayson the victor, raising his hand to signal the status as NDC officials broke into their ‘Revo, Revo, has come to stay’ chorus.

Mr Quayson, ejected from Parliament last month following a Supreme Court decision to annul the 2020 constituency election, won the closely contested by-election with 17,245 votes representing 57.56% of valid votes.

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 (EC), in interviews shortly ahead of the declaration of results, indicated that the turnout was very high.

First Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Danquah Smith Buttey, has said the party lost the Assin North bye-election due to poor organisation.

In his view, the party could have done better in its quest to recapture the parliamentary seat from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The battle for the Assin North seat was settled on Tuesday June 27, 2023 when NDC candidate, James Gyakye Quayson beat NPP candidate, Charles Opoku in a hotly contested bye-election.

The ruling party was hoping to win the seat to increase their numbers in Parliament for the smooth implementation of government business.

But in what has been described by the NDC as a landslide victory, they argue that, retaining the seat in Parliament will help the Minority keep government on its toes.

Reacting to this on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Thursday, Mr Smith said NPP could have easily won the election if it had done things right.

He revealed that, five days to the election, he saw something but it was too late to remedy which in his opinion caused their defeat.

This notwithstanding, Chairman Buttey as he is popularly called, said they are going back to the drawing board to remedy the situation.

Play attached audio for more

According to him, they “declared total war” in their quest to retain the seat and return James Gyakye Quayson to Parliament.

The embattled politician is returning to Parliament following his landslide victory in the just ended by-election.

He beat the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Charles Opoku in the fiercely contested election to retain the Assin North seat for NDC.

He won by 17,245 votes representing 57.56% while NPP’s Charles Opoku polled 12,630 votes, representing 42.15%.

Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) Bernice Sefenu remained an underdog. She got paltry 87 votes, representing 0.29 per cent of votes cast.

Speaking on their strategy in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Thursday, Mr Nketia said they were resolved to retain the Assin North parliamentary seat.

In his view, the NDC revolutionary spirit played a key role in energizing their rank and file to be poised for victory.

“It is as if my people were possessed; everyone was working so hard especially in the rural areas to get a lot of people to vote,” General Mosquito stated.

He revealed that, NPP’s propaganda had gained momentum on the grounds but they managed to overturn it in their favour due to their affable candidate, Mr Quayson.

“We won because we had a better candidate than the NPP. James Gyakye Quayson was the people’s choice,” Mr Nketia observed.

National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has showered accolades on the Ghana Police Service and the Electoral Commission (EC) for the professional work done during the Assin North bye-election.

He indicated that, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare demonstrated “leadership by example” and ensured his men were up to the task.

Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Thursday, General Mosquito, as he is popularly called, said the police ensured all polling centers were weapon-free.

“I was very happy when the police arrested fake police and soldiers at the polling stations. They deserve commendation,” he stated.

Mr Nketia said their conduct has given NDC the assurance that “policing in election has taken different turn”.

On the EC, General Mosquito also thanked them for ensuring their materials arrived on time and superintending over a successful bye-election.

Overall, Mr Nketia said both the EC and Police conducted themselves professionally to ensure a free and fair election.

The applicant is praying the court for an order staying the proceedings in the court pending the determination of the appeal filed in the Court on June 27, 2023.

An Accra High Court presided over by Justice Maame Ekue Yanzuh on June 23, 2023, delivered a ruling, dismissing the motion by the applicant herein for a review and/or variation of previous orders of the court dated June 16, 2023.

The applicant, dissatisfied with the ruling, has appealed against the ruling.

The Supreme Court initially nullified Mr Quayson’s election as the MP for Assin North over holding a Canadian citizenship and being a Ghanaian at the time he filed his nomination to contest the election in 2020.

He now faces charges of perjury and deceiving a public officer.

Upon a bye-election conducted by the Electoral Commission, the people of Assin North Constituency re-elected him to represent them in Parliament.

The applicant said the appeal was likely to succeed in the light of the errors of law set out in the notice of appeal, including the endorsement, in effect, of prejudice to a fair trial clearly in breach of his constitutional rights to a fair trial.

He said the decision of the Court that evidence of extremely prejudicial, unjustified and insulting remarks by the Attorney-General was not relevant to the determination of the application for review, was clearly in error.

“That the decision of the Court on June 23, 2023, was contradictory to the decision of the Court on June 21, 2023, when an objection by the Attorney-General to the supplementary affidavit filed in support of the application for review was dismissed on the basis that the averments in the supplementary affidavit were relevant to the allegations about the extremely prejudicial, unjustified and insulting remarks of the Attorney-General,” he said.

He said the ruling of June 23, 2023, which was the subject matter of the appeal filed, amounted to endorsing the conduct of the Attorney-General which was complained of in the application for review.

The applicant said apparently emboldened by the ruling of the Court on June 23, 2023, the extremely prejudicial, unjustified and insulting remarks of the Attorney-General were escalated to the level of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He said at a campaign rally for the candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the President made many prejudicial remarks, including some to the effect that the voters in the Assin North Constituency should not vote for a candidate who could end up in prison.

The said remarks were widely reported in the media.

The applicant said at the hearing of the application, Counsel for the accused person would seek leave of the Court to play an approximately one-and-half-minute clip of the remarks of the President at the said rally.

He said both the President and the Attorney-General were clearly craving for his conviction and imprisonment by fair or foul means without any regard whatsoever to the constitutionally guaranteed fundamental human rights of the accused person.

He said the conduct of the Attorney-General was very similar to the conduct of the President when he was Attorney-General in 2001 when he initiated a similar trial of Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata with a pre-determined outcome of convicting and imprisoning him.

That Mr Tsikata found himself, on June 18, 2008, a day which had not even been set for the continuation of his trial, much less conviction and sentence, convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment.

He said the conduct of the Attorney-General and his prejudicial utterances on the case on June 16, 2023, prior to his applying for a day-to-day trial of the case suggested that the outcome of the case had been predetermined hence he had cause to fear that his right to a fair trial was in jeopardy.

That the ruling of the Court on June 23, 2023, already appears to have emboldened the further prejudicial remarks of the President.

He said his appeal sought to enforce his constitutional rights and to prevent a similar process of an unfair trial as Mr Tsikata experienced, which could lead to his being convicted at all costs by fair or foul means.

He said if proceedings were not stayed during the pendency of the said appeal, his right to a fair trial would be rendered nugatory.

The applicant said justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done and the pre-determination of the outcome of the current trial by the President and the Attorney-General glaringly amounted already to a miscarriage of justice.

All the above constitute exceptional circumstances on which I seek orders of the Court to stay the proceedings in the case till the appeal’s determination, he said.

The National Organiser of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has commended the constituents of Assin North in the Central Region for voting for the party’s candidate, James Gyakye Quayson, in Tuesday’s bye-election.

Speaking on JoyNews on Wednesday, George Opare Addo expressed confidence in their candidate even before the official declaration of the results by the Electoral Commission.

“We have comfortably won the election. The Supreme Court of Assin North has spoken to the Supreme Court of Ghana that they still prefer Gyakye Quayson as their Member of Parliament,” he stated.

This follows the Supreme Court ruling which declared the election of James Gyakye Quayson in 2020 as MP for Assin North in the Central Region as unconstitutional.

Supreme Court’s full judgement formed the basis for the removal of Mr Quayson’s name from the records of Parliament.

When asked what led to the party’s victory, Mr Addo stated that the candidate they presented was a likeable candidate, adding that his good works in the constituency spoke on his behalf.

He added that the party and Assin North constituents were solidly behind Mr Quayson because they believed the Supreme Court verdict was unfair.

He added that the Supreme Court’s mishap could only be corrected by sending him back to Parliament to represent the people of Assin North.

“The good people of Assin North saw persecution instead of prosecution, and the injustice that was being meted out to Gyakye Quayson motivated the rank and file of our party. So, everybody was out there to work for Gyakye Quayson,” he said.

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He also hailed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for a good job done which in his opinion has strengthened and efficacy of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution.

Mr Amidu lauded the individuals who prioritized the national interest, defended the Constitution, and supported democracy and the rule of law.

“The NDC must be congratulated by all patriotic persons who act apolitically in the national interest and believe in the defence of the Constitution and in the sustenance of democracy and the rule of law in Ghana.

“I take the view that Constitutionalism won in the Supreme Court, the Attorney-General failed woefully in weaponizing the administration of criminal justice, while democracy and the rule of law won massively at the Assin North bye-election,” the statement read.

The former Special Prosecutor went on to criticise the actions of the Attorney-General describing him as the loser in the battle between constitutionalism, democracy, and the rule of law.

According to Mr Amidu, the Attorney-General attempted to weaponize the criminal justice administration to undermine both the Supreme Court’s decision and the representative democratic process during the Assin North bye-election.

He accused the Attorney-General of acting in a partisan manner and questioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s involvement in undermining the decisions of the courts and the rule of law.

“The loser in this interaction between constitutionalism, democracy, and rule of law is the Attorney-General whose office is guaranteed and entrenched under Chapter 8 in Article 88 of the 1992 Constitution to ensure his independence and impartiality in criminal justice administration as it affects citizens and the State.

“My long association with Court House Governance for almost two decades convinces me that Attorney-General tried weaponizing the instrument of criminal justice administration entrusted to his custody by Article 88 (3) and (4) of the 1992 Constitution to undermine first, the decision of the Supreme Court, and secondly, the representative democratic process guaranteed under the Constitution at the Assin North by-election,” he continued.

He further called for the President to demonstrate respect for the voice of the people and democracy by instructing the Attorney-General to halt the abuse of the Constitution through a nolle prosequi, thereby rectifying the unconstitutional actions taken in aid of the ruling party’s interests.

“Shamefully, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the President of Ghana for the time being, jumped into the affray to undermine the decisions of the Courts and the rule of law by the autocratic statement he delivered at the rally in the Assin North on 25 June 2023. The President who has sworn a constitutional oath to ‘preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana’ perjured his oath, betrayed the Republic of Ghana, and created the impression that the weaponization of criminal justice administration as an instrument of a partisan political democratic representative contest by his Attorney-General was upon his express instructions.

“Now is the time for the Nana Akufo-Addo to do the decent thing in beating a retreat by instructing his Attorney-General to stop the weaponization of criminal justice administration as an instrument of political persecution of opponents of the NPP by obeying the voice of the people and democracy with a nolle prosequi to undo the abuse of the Constitution they set in motion to unconstitutionally aid them at the by-election,” Mr Amidu expressed in the statement.

He praised the people of the Assin North constituency for their refusal to be swayed by the ruling NPP and their commitment to upholding their rights.

“The people of Assin North have proven that the majority of patriotic Ghanaians in the constituency understand their rights and cannot be bought by incumbency largesse. The people of Assin North have also sent a clear signal to all patriots in Ghana that truth must triumph over lies and deception,” he added.

According to the coalition, each stakeholder effectively played its role which led to the success of the bye-election.

In a press release the National Coordinator of CODEO, Albert Kofi Arhin, said “CODEO would like to commend the Electoral Commission, the Ghana Police Service and the electorate for ensuring a largely peaceful bye-election which was fully concluded after the winning candidate was declared.

“CODEO acknowledges that the conduct of the polls was consistent with the general rules and regulations which was adhered to by the polling officials. In addition, there were no shortage of materials and the biometric verification devices functioned well to a very large extent without any significant disruptions to the polls in any of the observed polling stations.”

Although the statement said the election was largely peaceful, CODEO acknowledged there were a few instances where violence almost erupted, but for the timely intervention of the police.

The release made reference to an incident at the Methodist Primary School 2 polling station at Breku, where a journalist was confronted by a purported executive of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for interviewing electorate who were in a queue to vote.

Again at Breku, two voters were apprehended for taking a snapshot of the ballot paper after voting. They claimed that an unidentified individual had tasked them to take a picture of the marked ballot as proof in return for a monetary reward.

CODEO says there was also an incident where a convoy of vehicles with NPP occupants, accompanied by the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP, Antwi Bosiako (Chairman Wontumi), pursued a vehicle occupied by NDC supporters from a different polling station to D/C Primary School at Praso which resulted in parts of the NDC vehicle being damaged, resulting in commotion and disturbance along the roadside.

The June 28 statement stressed that although each incident was skillfully handled by the police, the incidents must be investigated and offenders brought to book.

“CODEO condemns the violent incident which occurred in the constituency and nearly blotted the elections. On this note, the Coalition calls on the Ghana Police Service to urgently investigate the incident and prosecute all persons found culpable to serve as a deterrent,” it added.

Ahead of the June 27 by-election, CODEO deployed 15 observers in fulfillment of its mandate to mobilise citizens of Ghana to actively participate in the electoral process and to complement the efforts of the Electoral Commission in ensuring transparent, free, fair, and peaceful elections.

Below is the full statement:

The NDC in a release signed by the General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, said the landslide endorsement of Mr Quayson with 57.56% of the total valid votes cast “is a loud message on behalf of all Ghanaians to those who have plunged this country into immense hardship and we know they have heard you.”

 “This is a victory for Truth and Justice,” the statement added.

The party further commended the MP-elect of Assin North for his relentless fight during the entire period.

Again, they extended their gratitude to leading members of the party for their contribution towards the bye-election, particularly former President John Mahama and the Minority in Parliament.

Not leaving out the Electoral Commission for superintending over a successful bye-election and the police for providing the needed security despite the challenges confronted and the media for extensive coverage of the election.

Professor Gyampo said he was not surprised by Mr Gyakye Quayson’s victory.

“His popularity inched up, he got sympathy votes and the general economic hardship also helped  [Gyakye Quayson],” he said on Ghana Tonight on TV3 just after the results of the Assin North bye-election were declared on Tuesday, June 27.

He added “For me I wasn’t surprised. I was rather surprised at the broad display of arrogance by the ruling party.”

Mr Quayson thanked all persons who supported him to ensure his victory.

Speaking to journalists just before he was declared winner of the Tuesday, June 27 by-election, he said “I believe in the rule of law and I  do things according to the law. Also, I had the support of my constituents, not just the people of Assin North alone, my NDC fraternity, and people from the other side of the aisle which is the NPP who were supporting me.  They may not be able to identify themselves publicly.

“I was treated unfairly but as I said I had to abide by the court’s decision. If they didn’t believe in what I did, now they know the results.”

He added “… Again the good people of Assin North have demonstrated that they have a conscience and they believe in me.”

He was declared the winner of the bye-election with 17,245 of the total valid votes cast.

He beat Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Bernice Enyonam Sefenu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) to reclaim the seat.

His votes margin as compared to the 2020 results is over 1,300. In that election, Mr Gyakye Quayson polled 17,498 votes to beat NPP’s Abena Durowaa Mensah, who polled 14,193.

Mr Quayson, who was declared invalidly elected in 2020 by a Supreme Court judgement, will return to take his seat in Parliament.

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The voting process, which commenced about 7:00pm, will be followed by the declaration of results.

The election is a two-horse race between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Charles Opoku and National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, James Gyakye Quayson.

Both men are from Assin Bereku, known to be the stronghold of the ruling NPP.

Speaking with Joy News, Director of Elections, Dr Serebuor Quaicoe, said polling stations recorded over 50% voter’ turnout before midday.

“Almost all the centers I visited have clocked 50% as of now, so the turnout is very high. You could see that the people are still in the queue,” he said.

At least 41,168 voters in 99 polling centers are taking part in the election to elect an MP for the area.

The seat became vacant after the Supreme Court declared null and void, the processes that led to the election of the embattled incumbent Member of Parliament, James Gyakye Quayson, over dual citizenship issues.

Mr Quayson, who is contesting the seat again, faces opposition from his closest contender, the New Patriotic Party’s Charles Opoku, and Bernice Enyonam Senenu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG).

Some electorate at the Endwa Community Center, Catholic Primary School, and Asempaneye Catholic JHS polling stations, gathered at about 4:00am to participate in the voting which started at 7:00 am.

Mr. Quaicoe believes that the Electoral Commission could record one of the highest voter turnouts in recent times in any by-election which are known for recording low voter turnout.

“I wouldn’t want to project, but it seems we are going to have one of the highest voter turnout in the Assin North,” he said.

Mr. Quaicoe attributes the high voter turnout to effective campaigning adopted by political parties participating in the election, intensified police presence and patrols that assure electorates of adequate security, and media and the proactiveness of the Electoral Commission.

“That is what happens when political parties tend to do proper campaigning instead of attacking one another. If you go to the people with a good message, the people will respond.”

“I will also give some of the credit to the police because the police have flooded everywhere. So you realize that you can go about your business without any form of intimidation.”

“Also the media is working, the Electoral Commission is working,” he observed.

The flagbearer of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Kofi Akpaloo, has blamed the country’s under-development on both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Mr Akpaloo’s assertion follows his claim that the NPP and the NDC have disbursed huge sums of money in the ongoing Assin North bye-election in the Central Region.

According to him, the amount of money both political parties have dished out to the constituents in order to gain political power at Assin North can “establish about 30 factories in the constituency.”

Voting is underway as the three political parties – NPP, NDC and LPG – have presented candidates to battle it out for the Assin North parliamentary seat today, Tuesday.

The NPP and the LPG have Charles Opoku and Catherine Enyonam as their respective candidates. 

The NDC has also presented James Gyakye Quayson as their candidate.

The LPG flagbearer alleged that both the NPP and NDC gave out bags of cement and roofing sheets to the constituents to gain their votes.

“A lot of items including money were given to some constituents…so they have really spent a lot of money,” he stressed.

“Both the NPP and NDC have really paid huge sums of money in Assin North and none of them can deny that fact.

On the back of this, Mr Akpaloo said that “this morning, I witnessed a fight here at Assin Bereku with some constituents claiming to have been cheated in sharing the money.”

According to him, he does not understand why these agents and supervisors in their strongholds are being arrested, unsure whether it is a deliberate action to rig the election.

 “Our agents have been arrested, three of our people have been arrested, and the sad thing is that all this tension is happening in the stronghold of the NPP.

“We’re coming from Basofi-Ningo, the place is calm, there are no issues there, so how come in all our strongholds, we’re having issues there, why? Is that deliberate, what is happening?” he quizzed

In a video, Mr Koduah was seen complaining to a police commander. There were other NPP supporters around who also expressed how unfair the situation is.

The Police Commander said they are only trying their best to promote law and order and do not intend to take sides or deliberately intimidate anyone.

Unconfirmed reports on social media indicate that Mr Opare Addo was attacked following the arrest of a supposed imposter posing as a military officer at a polling station at Assin Breku.

The National Youth Organizer of NDC, Pablo @georgeoaddo has been attacked by the NPP thugs for assisting in the arrest of military imposter from the NPP camp in the Assin North by election. @tv3_ghana @metrotvgh @utvghana @GHOneTV pic.twitter.com/vUja31nFi4

— Mr. Barnes (@IdanBarnes) June 27, 2023

The NDC youth organiser reportedly helped in the arrest of the man.

In pictures and videos shared on Twitter, the windows and windshield of the car belonging to Mr Addo were broken during the alleged attack.

The military imposter arrested at the polling station is said to have been dressed in full military attire.

Three political parties, the NPP, NDC and the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) are battling it out for the Assin North parliamentary seat today, Tuesday, June 27.

The seat became vacant after the Supreme Court on Wednesday, May 17, unanimously declared as unconstitutional the election of Mr James Gyakye Quayson as the MP for the area over dual citizenship allegations.

Nonetheless, Mr Quayson is still contesting the seat on the NDC’s ticket despite an ongoing criminal against him.

Both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have pointed fingers at each other, claiming that monetary incentives are being offered to sway voters in their favor.

The primary objective for both parties is to secure victory for their respective candidates, James Gyakye Quayson and Charles Opoku, as the polls draw to a close.

However, it appears that the issue of vote buying extends beyond the two major parties.

The Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), a minority political party, has also found itself entangled in the web of vote buying in Assin North.

Kofi Akpaloo, the leader of the LPG, stands accused of distributing “tea bread” to voters during the campaign for his party’s candidate, Bernice Enyonam Sefenu.

The allegation against Akpaloo was made by Samson Ahi, the NDC Member of Parliament for Bodi, during an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, on Tuesday.

Akpaloo had initially accused Ahi of distributing money to residents in exchange for their votes in support of Gyakye Quayson.

In his defense, Ahi claimed that the money he distributed was intended for transportation purposes for NDC members residing outside the Assin North constituency.

However, he did not absolve Akpaloo of blame, asserting that Akpaloo was equally culpable of attempting to buy the people’s votes with “tea bread.”

She emphasized the urgency for the security agencies to promptly address this matter by apprehending those involved, as it is illegal.

Madam Opoku-Agyemang voiced her concerns while visiting several polling stations in Assin North.

“If these allegations of inducement are true, we are fully aware that it is against the law. The presence of the police and security personnel here raises questions about their actions. Everyone should be alarmed by these allegations because they violate the regulations. If such allegations exist and are proven true, it should worry everyone,” she remarked.

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have been engaged in a heated exchange, each accusing the other of distributing money to voters in the Assin North by-election.

However, there is currently no concrete evidence to substantiate these claims, as none of the alleged beneficiaries have come forward to confirm or deny the allegations.

According to the expert, compared to their approach in the recently concluded Kumawu by-election, the NPP’s enthusiasm seems to have diminished.

This, he explains, is due to the fact that the Assin North constituency is not a stronghold for either party, making the outcome uncertain.

Professor Kobby Mensah states, “If you look at the kind of intensity the NPP displayed in Kumawu, you do not see the same level of intensity in Assin North. This indicates that they are not as confident in Assin North as they were in Kumawu. And rightfully so, because Kumawu was a stronghold, whereas Assin North is a competitive constituency between the NDC and NPP,” he said during an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show.

Prof. Kobby Mensah also suggests that the NPP may have learned lessons from the 2020 election, where the NDC candidate won the seat and demonstrated significant developmental efforts within the constituency.

This contributes to the NPP’s uncertainty about winning the Assin North by-election.

As the Assin North by-election approaches, both parties have deployed prominent figures to campaign vigorously for their respective candidates.

The NDC’s James Gyakye Quayson will face off against the NPP’s Charles Opoku in what many anticipate to be a closely contested race.

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According to him, the NDC is the only hope of bringing justice and development to the Assin North Constituency.

Mr Mahama said that the Akufo-Addo-led government and the New Patriotic Party have nothing to offer Ghanaians.

“I encourage you to queue up early to vote. Do not let anything deter you from exercising your right to vote. Your vote is your voice, and you must make it count.

“Remember to vote No. 3 for James Gyakye Quayson. He is the right candidate for the job and will work hard to represent you and your interests,” Mr Mahama said.

The NDC Flagbearer arrived in Accra this morning after a successful round of community durbars in various parts of the Assin North constituency and a mini vigil held later at Assin Breku.

He thanked the chiefs, religious leaders, party leaders and supporters, and the people of Assin North for their unwavering support and dedication towards the NDC’s campaign.

Following this, the former president was optimistic that the NDC will come out victorious as the “commitment that has gone into this bye-election campaign has not gone unnoticed.”

Mr Mahama added that “let us make a bold statement with this election. Ghanaians are tired of Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP. It is time for a new direction and a brighter future for our country. Together, let us make it happen.”

He called on Ghanaians to “unite and work together to build the country we want.”

The election is necessitated by the Supreme Court’s ruling against the former MP, Mr James Gyekye Quayson,  for holding a Canadian citizenship aside that of Ghana.  

The Assin North constituency over the past few weeks has seen a lot of political activities, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) formally ending their campaigns with rallies on Sunday, June 25, 2023,  ahead of the election.    

The NDC has retained Gyekye Quayson as its candidate though he is facing criminal charges over his 2020 Candidature.  

The NPP and the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) have Mr Charles Opoku and Catherine Enyonam as their respective candidates. 

Officials from the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters in Accra are already in the Constituency to support the District.  

According to the Commission, all is ready for voting to start at 0700 hours and close at 1700 hours.   

Security has been beefed up in the Constituency as Police pickup trucks and other crowd controlling equipment are seen at various vantage points across the Constituency.  

The Inspector- General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, accompanied by other senior police officers Monday met the leaders of the various political parties and EC officials to discuss security arrangement ahead of the polls.

Some members of the NDC are alleged to be telling constituents in Assin North that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is seeking to remove NDC candidate, Jamea Gyakye Quayson to enable government get enough numbers in Parliament to legalise homosexuality in Ghana.

National Youth Organiser of the NPP, Salam Mustapha, revealed this in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Monday.

He claimed given the disapproval Ghanaians have about LGBTQI, NDC is seeking to capitalize on it to cause disaffection for the NPP.

But, the NPP youth leader said the opposition party’s vile propaganda has failed because they have a viable candidate, Charles Opoku.

He said the various projects undertaken by Mr Opoku himself in several communities as part of philanthropic activities and support for the youth in gaining employable skills and start-ups would speak for him.

Salam Mustapha indicated that, the NPP candidate said he had lived all his life at Assin North and related well with the people, adding that “everything points to the fact that NPP is winning the Assin North seat”.

The Assin North bye-election, which has been highly anticipated, is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 27.

In a rebuttal, a member of NDC legal team, Baba Jamal refuted the allegation being levelled against them.

Rather, he said government’s posture about the passage of the anti-LGBTQI bill before Parliament is what is fueling such allegations.

Mr Jamal maintained that the people of Assin North have already decided, thus, they don’t need to tell lies to win votes.

The two main candidates are both generous and philanthropic.

They have both supported the less-privileged in the communities, and both expect the beneficiaries of their generosity to reciprocate their philanthropic gestures with votes.

Both NDC and NPP have intensified their campaigns with President Nana Akufo-Addo and former President John Mahama leading their teams.

This is according to a member of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) legal team, Baba Jamal.

According to him, the Tuesday bye-election is a forgone conclusion because the people will reward Mr Quayson for sacrificing his Canadian citizenship to serve them.

Baba Jamal said the candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Charles Opoku does not even vote, Assin North, hence is not qualified to be an MP.

He said the generosity of Mr Quayson towards the well-being of the people at Assin North and his personality and experience is unmatched.

He stressed that, the people were aware of the abysmal performance of the NPP and would not be swayed by the ad hoc road projects.

The NDC man claimed the people have assured NDC that they will give the former MP another chance in Parliament to complete his work in the constituency.

“The people of Assin North are waiting for the second coming of James Gyakye Quayson. They did it in 2020 and will do it again,” Mr Jamal declared.

This is according to the final results of a poll by Global InfoAnalytics, an opinion research company.

The results, published on June 25, noted that the NPP was ahead of the NDC with just 1.1% of respondents sampled with 6.9% of respondents undecided as yet.

The by-election was occasioned by the ouster of James Gyakye Quayson of the NDC as MP for the area after the Supreme Court ruled against him in a dual citizenship case.

Quayson has been retained as the NDC candidate even though he is facing criminal charges from his 2020 candidature. The poll puts him at 45.6% whiles the NPP’s Charles Opoku is at 46.7%.

The analysis also showed that the NPP candidate has squandered a commanding lead, slumping from 57% as of June 6 to his current rating whiles Quayson has appreciated from 38% to 45.6% within the same period.

The by-election has attracted a lot of political activity in the past few weeks. Campaigns ended on June 25 ahead of the vote.

NPP leads NDC by 1.1% with 6.9% votes undecided. pic.twitter.com/IbglGtq45z

— Global InfoAnalytics (@GInfoanalytics) June 25, 2023

After concluding his speech and preparing to return to his seat, President Akufo-Addo was surprised to find Akua Donkor, the founder of the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), standing behind him with a cheerful expression.

In an unexpected turn of events, Akufo-Addo joined Akua Donkor in a dance, much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd. Akua Donkor even requested a photo with the president, which he happily granted amidst the singing of the gathered supporters.

The Assin North by-election was necessitated by the removal of Quayson, the incumbent lawmaker, following a Supreme Court ruling that cited procedural issues surrounding his nomination as a parliamentary candidate in 2020.

Quayson has been selected as the candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and will face Charles Opoku in what analysts predict to be a closely contested race, possibly favoring the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

To witness the meeting between President Akufo-Addo and Akua Donkor, watch the video below:

He specifically cautioned against supporting the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s parliamentary candidate, James Gyakye Quayson, citing concerns about his ability to fulfill the responsibilities of a Member of Parliament (MP).

President Akufo-Addo pointed out that Quayson’s ongoing criminal trial could potentially lead to his imprisonment, leaving the Constituency without adequate representation.

Speaking at the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s final rally, the President urged voters to endorse Charles Opoku, the NPP’s candidate, emphasizing the significance of this election for both the constituency and the nation as a whole.

“We must refrain from supporting or voting for individuals who are entangled in legal controversies that may ultimately result in their imprisonment,” President Akufo-Addo asserted. “We need someone who can actively contribute and work in your best interests. Quayson claims that even from prison, people will vote for him. But how can he effectively fulfill his duties from behind bars? We elect individuals to Parliament to work on our behalf, so let us vote for someone who can truly improve our lives.”

In response to allegations suggesting his involvement in Quayson’s prosecution, President Akufo-Addo firmly denied any interference in the judiciary’s operations throughout his tenure as President.

He clarified that the by-election in Assin North became necessary after parliament informed the Electoral Commission of the vacant seat.

This decision followed a Supreme Court ruling that deemed the Electoral Commission’s allowance of Quayson’s participation in the 2020 parliamentary election, without evidence of renouncing his Canadian citizenship, as unconstitutional.

The apex court further directed parliament to remove James Gyakye Quayson’s name from its records as an MP, declaring his election null and void. Moreover, his swearing-in was deemed unconstitutional and of no effect.

Bernice Enyonam Sefenu, a prominent figure within the community, will challenge the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) with fervor.

During an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, Kofi Akpaloo, the founder and leader of LPG, expressed his confidence in the underdog status of their candidate, Bernice Sefenu.

Despite skeptics writing her off well in advance of Tuesday’s by-election, Akpaloo stated that their extensive campaign efforts in Assin North have yielded promising signs of victory for the LPG.

Akpaloo further emphasized that although both the NDC and NPP are attempting to sway voters with monetary incentives, the LPG remains unfazed, as the people have already made up their minds.

He urged the electorate to collect such offerings wisely and vote for the LPG candidate, emphasizing the party’s commitment to development.

Addressing rumors of NPP sponsorship to undermine the NDC candidate, James Gyakye Quayson, Akpaloo firmly refuted such claims, asserting that the LPG operates independently with its own resources.

As the stage is set for Tuesday’s by-election, the Electoral Commission (EC) has conducted the ballot drawing, with Charles Opoku representing the NPP in the first position, followed by LPG candidate Bernice Enyonam Sefenu in the second spot, and NDC candidate James Gyakye Quayson securing the third position on the ballot paper.

The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, recently commissioned the Assin Fosu to Assin Praso stretch, which spans 31.2 kilometres and connects Ahwian Nkwanta in the Ashanti Region to Yamoransa in the Central Region.

However, the NDC has accused the government of undertaking these projects solely to gain votes in the upcoming bye-election on June 27.

In an interview with Selorm Adonoo on the Eyewitness News, Mustapha Gbande welcomed the construction works in the area but argued that they would not significantly improve the livelihoods of the constituents.

Mr Gbande pointed out that the roads leading to the villages within Assin North have not been tarred, making it challenging for farmers to transport their produce.

“It’s good news for the people of Ghana, that this non-performing government has at least commissioned the road. I have plied the road and it’s a beautiful road. What does this road mean to the people? The people cannot move their cocoa produce to the main city of Assin North.

“The roads leading to the villages have not been tarred. One will question if what the government has done will put food on the table for the people of Assin North. We want to see Ghanaians being disburdened, and see the standard of living in the lives of the people of Assin North improved.”

He further asserted, “We are talking about the majority of Assin North who this road does not mean anything to them. 80% of the people there are farmers, they cannot boast of farm inputs, fertilizers, high yields, nor buy medicine. As far as I’m concerned, this is a very useless government, and so if they have done this road, they deserve some commendation for completing the road. How that this translate into the people’s lives ?”.

He said even if he is jailed and in prison prior to the bye-election on June 27, 2023, he has no doubts residents will vote for him massively.

The former MP for Assin North Constituency and Parliamentary Candidate for NDC who is facing criminal charges in court for perjury, if found guilty, could face 10 years in prison in hard labour.

This also comes after he was accused of contesting the 2020 parliamentary election in the constituency as a dual citizen.

A ruling from the Supreme Court directed that his name be expunged from the list of parliamentarians.

The popular Kumawood actor, who is also a member of the NDC, said the people at Assin North have witnessed the unfair treatment being meted to their former MP by President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government and will make the informed decision.

“Even if James Gyakye Quayson is in prison, the people of Assin North Constituency are eager to give him victory by voting massively for him,” Mr Afranie said in an interview on Ambassador TV.

He noted that, “NPP can share all the rice in Ghana and goodies but they will still lose the elections. Assin North Constituency is different from Kumawu Constituency where NPP won the bye-elections after sharing rice, gari and money. It will never happen at Assin North.

“The people of Assin North will vote based on development and they have witnessed massive developmental projects under the leadership of James Gyakye Quayson. It is not true that James Gyakye Quayson will be imprisoned so NPP members should stop spreading this propaganda. No amount of propaganda can give NPP victory at Assin North Constituency,” he added.

Mr Tsikata hit the AG, accusing him of breaching the ethics of the legal profession.

“The supplementary affidavit is indicating, clearly a pattern of behaviour and utterances by an Attorney General who seeks to prejudice criminal matters before the court.

“The statement he made, in reference to Adamu Sakande for instance shows that clearly”, Mr. Tsikata said.

Mr. Tsikata who is lead counsel for the NDC’s James Gyakye Quayson submitted to the court documents detailing what he says is evidence of prejudicial comments made by the Attorney General.

One such comment is the AG indicating that James Gyakye Quayson will suffer the same fate as Adamu Sakande. A story published on myjoyonline.com was attached as one of the exhibits.

The AG had told JoyNews that the James Gyakye Quayson case is very similar to that of Sakande.

Mr Dame urged the court to reject the said documents. He argued that he made those comments in a civil matter which had no bearing on the criminal case at hand.

“It contains absolutely unconnected and irrelevant material to the matters before the court. The instant proceedings arise out of a simple criminal trial.

“The affidavit raises matters bothering an already decided Supreme Court matter, comments they claim I made arising out of the Supreme Court ruling.

“That matter is not before the court and has clearly been adjudicated.”

Mr. Tsikata disagreed.

He insisted 57 years since he started his journey to becoming a lawyer he had never encountered an Attorney General who behaves in such a manner.

“I have never seen an Attorney General make insulting remarks about a person in this manner. We want this court to control this process such that it is not abused.

“It is our professional obligation to bring it to your attention. When the AG is acting in a manner that is prejudicing the court. We must bring it to your attention.

“Plain propaganda, those comments are just meant to be prejudicial. Mere citizens will be held in contempt if they had said same. If we can’t bring this to your attention. I don’t know what we can do.” He stated.

The AG had a response

“I am surprised that in all his years, he does not understand what is relevant. What is the relevance of those comments to the issue at hand on whether the case should be heard on a day-to-day basis or not?”

Trial Judge Mary Yanzuh urged the lawyers to exercise restraint. She pointed out that they are all officers of the court and should desist from abusive language.

She admitted the said documents into evidence pointing out that they were relevant because of the allegation of prejudice that had been raised.

The two nonetheless had a go at each other yet again at the tail end of proceedings.

The court had indicated it will deliver its ruling on whether the case should be put on hold to allow Mr Quayson to campaign on Friday.

Mr Tsikata urged the court to permit the NDC Assin North candidate to miss proceedings on that day.

The AG disagreed, pointing out that an accused must be present during his trial except he refuses to show up or conducts himself in a manner that makes continuation of proceedings impracticable.

“If he is saying he won’t come, he should refuse to do so and we will ask for a warrant to arrest him”, Mr Dame said.

Mr Tsikata had a brief reply

“Clearly, my lady, this is beneath me, so I won’t respond”. He stated.

The court granted the request for James Quayson to miss proceedings on Friday.

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have engaged in a blame game, each claiming that their opponent is using underhanded tactics to secure victory.

During an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen program, George Opare Addo, the National Youth Organiser of the NDC, accused the NPP of utilizing state resources to entice voters.

He asserted that the NPP leadership was infiltrating NDC strongholds in Assin North, distributing items like fertilizers, cutlasses, Wellington boots, and roofing sheets in exchange for votes.

Opare Addo, known popularly as Pablo, lamented the government’s misuse of state resources merely to gain one seat from the NDC.

Despite these allegations, Opare Addo, the NDC National Youth Organiser, expressed confidence that such tactics would not impact the outcome of the by-election.

In response, Henry Nana Boakye, the National Organiser of the NPP, denounced the NDC’s behavior as hypocritical and reflective of double standards.

He clarified that both parties were providing items to voters in Assin North, but for different reasons.

Regarding the NPP’s actions, Nana Boakye explained that the items being distributed were in response to requests made by the chiefs and people of Assin North.

These initiatives were spearheaded by their candidate, Charles Opoku, whose NGO has been carrying out similar projects for several years.

Nana Boakye emphasized that the NDC’s criticism of the NPP’s actions was a prime example of the pot calling the kettle black.

The embattled MP is permitted to miss the hearing on that day.

Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, who fixed the date, said Mr Quayson could chose not to attend proceedings on the date set for the ruling. 

Filed by lawyers for Quayson, the motion was praying the court, which had earlier fixed June 20, 21 and 23  to continue the criminal trial, to have the case rather continued after the Assin-North election. 

In the motion, Quayson’s lawyers argued that hearing the case on the said dates would hamper Quayson’s chances in the elections. 

Mr Tsatsu Tsikata added that by offering himself as a candidate for elections, his client, was on a national assignment. 

The delegation was led by the National Communications Director of the NPP, Richard Ahiagbah.

“We share a common weakness. These are NDC accident victims. We spent time with them at St. Francis Hospital in Assin Fosu today and provided support. Great commendations to Mr. Jay Hyde, NPP Deputy Youth Organizer & Mr. Alfred Thompson, NPP National Comms team, NPP, God bless you, guys…” he tweeted.

We share a common weakness. These are NDC accident victims. We spent time with them at the St. Francis Hospital in Assin Fosu today and supported them. Great commendations to Mr. Jay Hyde, NPP Deputy Youth Organizer & Mr. Alfred Thompson, NPP National Comms team, NPP….God… pic.twitter.com/ZW9nrugioR

— Richard Ahiagbah (@RAahiagbah) June 18, 2023

A ghastly accident on Saturday resulted in the loss of life of a member of the NDC during a campaign tour in the Assin North constituency.

According to multiple reports, the vehicle involved belonged to the Ashanti regional youth organizer of the NDC and was part of a convoy accompanying former President John Dramani Mahama, who was touring the constituency to garner support for his party’s candidate, James Gyakye Quayson.

Meanwhile, the bye-election was slated for June 27, 2023, for Assin North after a Supreme Court panel recently ruled that Gyakye Quayson’s election as a Member of Parliament for the area was unconstitutional, null, and void.

His remarks come after the High Court in Accra dismissed his motion to stay the ongoing criminal proceedings until the bye-election in Assin North is held.

Mr Quayson’s election as a parliamentary representative for Assin North was nullified by the Supreme Court, and he currently faces charges of perjury and deceiving a public official.

These charges stem from allegations that he falsely denied owing allegiance to any country other than Ghana during the election process.

Speaking in an interview with Woezor TV, Mr Quayson attributed his removal from office to the dynamics within the current Parliament but said the people of Assin North are solidly behind him.

“I think basically, it is an intimidation process because I haven’t seen any criminal trial where an accused person or suspect is arraigned before the court on a daily basis and so we all know that it is an executive influence on the process. The people of Assin North understand the circumstances and situation that I am going through and they also understand that the fight is not about me but about them.”

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