Injuncted Assin North MP blocked from selecting speaker

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP)-Elect for Assin North, James Quayson has been prevented by the Clerk of Parliament from partaking in the voting process to select a speaker for the 8th Parliament of the 4th Republic.

Cyril Kwabena Oteng Nsiah ruled that the MP cannot take part of the voting process because he has received an injunction from a Cape Coast High Court which states that he ought not to hold himself as the MP-elect for the constituency.

Mr Quayson was spotted in the chamber of Parliament of the house before the dissolution of the 7th Parliament and the inauguration of the 8th parliament as well as the election of a Speaker.

However, prior to the commencement of the nomination of persons for the position of the speaker, MP-elect for Efutu Alexander Afenyo Markins inquired from the clerk of parliament Mr Oteng Nsiah, on Thursday January 7 on the floor of the House whether or not he has received a notification of the injunction placed on him by the court.

Mr Markins’ request was seconded by MP-elect for Suame Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu who reminded the Clerk that the House has been served a notice of court injunction.

However, Haruna Iddrisu, MP-elect for Tamale South told the clerk that courts do not determine who an elected MP is.

He said “Mr Chairman, courts don’t determine an elected person in Ghana. The court has the mandate to adjudicate on matters brought before it but the election of Member of Parliament is vested in Ghanaians citizens . We are aware that James Gyakye Quayson of Assin North was duly elected .

“As far as we know no court processes have been served on him personally. That is why he is here having registered and having the recognized as Member of the 275 MPs.”

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After the debate, the clerk confirmed that he received the notice of injunction at 4:45PM. Mr Hamza, Deputy Chief Court registrar served him, he revealed.

“I was duly served and therefore, I do not recognise Mr Quayson for the election of the Speaker,” Mr Oteng Nsiah ruled.

A Cape Coast High Court on Wednesday January 6 ruled that Mr Quayson cannot carry himself as the MP-elect for Assin North.

He was sued for allegedly holding Canadian citizenship as at the time he filed his nomination to contest for the parliamentary election, something which violates Article 94 (2)(a) of the Constitution of Ghana, 1992.

“94. (2) A person shall not be qualified to be a member of Parliament if he –

owes allegiance to a country other than Ghana”, the provision reads.