My Trial was a Political Witch Hunt - Gyakye Quayson

Accra, Ghana - 10 April, 2025 - Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, who faced forgery and perjury charges over dual citizenship claims, has hailed his acquittal as vindication, believing the trial was politically driven.

Background
The case against Quayson centered on claims that he held dual citizenship during the 2020 elections, which is prohibited for members of Ghana's parliament. The prosecution argued that Quayson's alleged Canadian citizenship made him ineligible to contest the elections. However, Quayson maintained that he had renounced his Canadian citizenship before submitting his nomination papers.

The Ruling
The High Court on Wednesday April 9, ruled in Quayson's favor, finding that the prosecution failed to prove the essential elements of the alleged offenses. The judge highlighted inconsistencies in the evidence presented by the prosecution, including discrepancies in passport summary sheets and statutory declarations. The court determined that Quayson had not made any false declarations in his nomination forms and had already initiated the process to renounce his Canadian citizenship.

Quayson expressed relief and confidence in the court's decision, stating that he had always believed in his innocence. He emphasized that the case was politically motivated and that he had taken all necessary steps to comply with legal requirements ahead of the elections. 

“When you are not wrong, there is nothing you should worry about. No matter where you put the person, they will bounce back. So, that was my reaction, that I know I am innocent. I didn’t come here to bother anybody. I came here to help my community and serve my people,” he said.

“I made sure I did the right thing, but everything seems to be playing politics. We all knew that it was politically motivated. You heard the facts from the judges,” he added.

Source: Lead News Online