Desperate Akufo-Addo cannot force us to support E-levy – Minority Leader
As the Assin North legislator battles his alleged dual nationality case in court the Minority Caucus in Parliament which he belongs to did not mince words as they accused President Akufo-Addo of using the situation to tilt the balance of power in Parliament.
The said legislator James Gyakye Quayson of Assin North has been charged with five counts by the state including perjury.
He contested for the Assin North Constituency parliamentary seat and won on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress, however his seat was declared vacant by the Cape Coast High Court over his alleged Canadian nationality.
Mr. Quayson in turn has also filed an appeal while the applicant, in that case, has also invoked the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to injunct him from performing his Parliamentary function.
A member of the New Patriotic Michael Ankomah Nimfah is also seeking an interpretation of Article 94(2)(2) of the 1992 Constitution on his eligibility to contest the 2020 elections.
Currently, there is a criminal suit filed against him on behalf of the Attorney General by the Director of Public Prosecution Mrs. Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, Mr. Quayson is facing five criminal charges.
A peeved Leader of the Minority caucus, Haruna Iddrisu argued that the criminal charges filed against the Assin North, Member of Parliament (MP), James Quayson is a desperate attempt by the government to reduce the numbers of the NDC in Parliament in order to get the controversial E-Levy passed.
He added that government cannot ask for cooperation through intimidation and harassment on any group that disagrees with its policies and programs.
“The people of Assin North have decided that he should be their Member of Parliament and this cannot be subverted by desperate President Akufo-Addo and his agents. We wish to serve notice to Nana Addo Danquah and his government that the Minority has gallant 137, we remain determined, resolute and decided that we are not supporting E-levy.”
Mr. Iddrisu then stated that the Minority is opposing the E-levy because it is primitive, regressive and it would not advance the course of the country.
“If for nothing at all the Akufo-Addo government and Ghanaians must thank this Minority. But for us, would there be public engagements and town-hall meetings going on, thank us. But for we standing for principle and saying that don’t take this for a certificate of agency which resulted in those excesses. So for the consultations, they must thank us for giving them the opportunity to reach out to the Ghanaian public and to consult,” he added.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
