Kofi Tutu

Assin North MP casts ballot to choose Speaker of Parliament despite court injunction

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Kofi Tutu

The Member of Parliament (MP) elect for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson has cast his ballot in the voting process for the selection of a Speaker for the 8th Parliament of the Fourth Republic.

This is despite a court injunction barring him from holding himself out as a legislator and subjecting himself to be sworn in as the representative of the people of Assin North.

The injunction was granted in a case filed by one Michael Ankomah-Nimfa of Assin Bereku who claims Mr. Quayson holds dual citizenship of Ghana and Canada.

The Clerk of Parliament, Cyril Kwabena Oteng Nsiah, had earlier barred Mr. Gyakye Quayson from taking part in the election process following the injunction slapped on the legislator.

“I was duly served, and I am therefore unable to recognize James Quayson as MP-elect for the purposes of the election of Speaker. I will therefore accordingly proceed in the conduct of this election”, the Clerk stated during the inauguration of the 8th Parliament.

But the decision did not go down well with the NDC MPs who accused the Clerk of being bias.

They insisted that because the MP-elect had not been served with the injunction documents, the Clerk should allow him to take part in the voting process.

“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 Ghanaian 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 been recognized as a member of the 275 MPs”, leader of the NDC in Parliament, Haruna Iddrisu said.

The request was turned down after a heated debate but was later granted with the Clerk warning that Parliament cannot be held responsible for the consequences that may arise from its decision to vote in the process.

Following a restart of the voting process which saw each MP’s name mentioned to move to cast their votes, Mr. Gyakye Quayson was also called up.

He moved to the voting booth and duly voted in the exercise.

Source: citinewsroom

Politics

Confusion in Parliament as NDC MPs take over majority seat

Posted on January 7, 2021January 7, 2021 by Kofi Tutu

There is drama in Parliament following a decision by members of the National Democratic Congress to sit on the majority side of Parliament as the 7th Parliament prepares for dissolution to pave way for the inauguration of the 8th Parliament.

This decision, however, did not go down well with members of the New Patriotic Party.

The NDC MPs have long contended that they hold the Majority in Parliament despite coming away from the polls with the same number of seats as the New Patriotic Party Caucus; 137 apiece.

When the bulk of the NPP MPs arrived, they opted to sit at the Minority side for the time being.

But some NPP MPs like Peter Amewu, K.T. Hammond and Ursula Owusu-Ekuful challenged the NDC MPs who hooted back at them.

Mr. Amewu, a first-time MP, appeared to be the most vexed by the conduct of the NDC MPs.

Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful for a period vowed not to sit down till she was given a seat in the Majority side.

One of the most anticipated moment occurred when the independent candidate for Fomena, Andrew Amoako Asiamah, walked in and sat with the NPP MPs sparking praise songs from them.

His alliance with them would give them one extra seat over the NDC Caucus.

Following his arrival, Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful proceeded to sit amongst the NDC MPs on the Majority side.

Source: citinewsroom

Politics

Afenyo Markin raises objection over presence of ‘injuncted’ Assin-North MP-elect in Parliament

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Kofi Tutu

Member of Parliament (MP) for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo Markin has raised concerns over the presence of the MP-elect for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, in Parliament despite a court injunction barring him from being sworn into office.

Afenyo Markin, who is also the proposed Deputy Majority Leader for the New Patriotic Party’s Caucus in the House asked from the Clerk of Parliament if he had been served with any injunction document before the processes for the selection of a Speaker of the House commence.

A Cape Coast High Court on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, granted an injunction restraining Mr. Quayson, from being sworn-in into the 8th Parliament on Thursday, January 7, 2021.

Mr. Quayson was spotted in the House for inauguration despite his injunction.

But making a case for his query, the Effutu legislator maintained that it will be appropriate for the fate of the Assin North MP-elect to be determined before the Speaker is voted for.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) to which Mr. Quayson belongs mounted a defence for their member saying he has not been served with the injunction and must therefore be allowed to represent the people of Assin North in the 8th Parliament.

Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka Mohammed who are proposed Minority Leader and Minority Chief respectively argued against the query asking for the inclusion of the Assin North MP-elect as a participant of members eligible to vote on the candidates for Speakership.

“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”, Haruna Iddrisu said.https://www.youtube.com/embed/LVvwpgKe80Y

The proposed Majority leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu who backed Mr. Afenyo in the query said it was part of their preliminary observation to ascertain the eligibility criteria of the MP-elect in question.

“The issue raised by my colleague, the Effutu MP is very genuine. He wants to know the eligibility and qualification of the MPs-elect who are qualified for voting. This house has been duly served, injuncting one person from participating in the business, We are aware that the processes have been served to the house. We want to know as part of our preliminary observation whether it is true, and if it’s true, that person cannot participate properly before this house”, he clarified.

However, the Clerk of Parliament, Cyril Kwabena Oteng Nsiah who is currently superintending over proceedings admitted to receiving the notice of the injunction.

He therefore ruled that, he cannot recognize Mr. Quayson to duly participate in the selection of the Speaker for the 8th Parliament.

Source: citinewsroom

Politics

Video: Soldiers storm Ghana’s Parliament over Speaker election

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Kofi Tutu

Soldiers have stormed Ghana’s parliament over a protracted stalemate between MPs-elect over the election of a new Speaker of the House.

The election went into a near-violent hold up after leadership of the NDC in the House accused their colleagues from the NPP of violating the secret ballot rule of the election by showing their ballot to themselves.

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Meanwhile, the Clerk of Parliament has told the injuncted Assin North MP-elect that he could decide to partake in the ongoing voting to decide a Speaker of the 8th Parliament and bear the consequences or opt out.

It comes after long hours of stalemate between NDC and NPP MPs over the legality or otherwise of James Gyekye Quayson to be part of the exercise.

“I have spoken to the MP-elect and I have duly informed both leaders. He can decide to vote and bear the consequences there,” he said.

Details on Chaos

Chaos erupted in Parliament over the court injunction directed at the MP-elect for Assin North James Gyekye Quayson.

Both sides of the House have been in protracted verbal exchanges over the legality or otherwise for the MP-elect to partake in the election of a Speaker for the 8th Parliament.

While the NDC MPs insist their the summon was not properly served on the clerk of Parliament who is chairing the sitting, the NPP MPs argue the MP-elect cannot be allowed to vote since the court injunction bars him.

Background

The Cape Coast High Court has granted an injunction against the Member of Parliament for Assin North James Gyekye Quayson restraining him from holding himself as NDC MP-elect for the constituency over dual citizenship.

This follows a petition against the MP-elect by one Michael Ankoma-Nimfah, a mason and resident of Assin Bereku.

Giving his ruling on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, the presiding judge, Justice Kwasi Boakye said Mr. Quayson was “restrained from holding himself out as Member of Parliament-elect for the Assin North constituency within the Central Region of the Republic of Ghana and further presenting himself to be sworn in as Member of Parliament-elect as such until the final determination of the petition.”

Mr Quayson had dismissed the claim when it was earlier brought up by the New Patriotic Party.

The NDC in a statement following the allegation said MP-elect upon a petition presented to the Electoral Commission was invited where he defended himself by providing the needed documents to prove that he has renounced his Canadian Citizenship.

However, the complainant said the MP-elect still held on the Canadian citizenship when he was filing to contest in the December polls.

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.

Politics

CAPE COAST HIGH COURT PLACES INJUNCTION ON THE SWEARING IN OF THE ASSIN NORTH MP

Posted on January 6, 2021 by Kofi Tutu

Supporters of Assin North NDC has today gone wild with the ruling of the Cape Coast High court for placing court injunction on the swearing in of the Assin North Mr.Joe Quayson for allegedly hold a dual citizenship at the time of filing to contest the 2020 election.

The ruling which was attended by heavy security personnels didn’t go well with some Assin North die hard NDC supporters and thronged to the streets of Cape Coast Protesting about the ruling..

Speaking with Anaafi Kokooto after the ruling,

The ndc supporters and residents from assin north have threatened the petitioner, Michael nina ankoma not to step foot in assin breku.
They say they will deal with him and his family

Filed by Anaafi Kokooto Kingdom fm Cape Coast

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Healthy Weeknight Meals

Posted on January 6, 2021January 6, 2021 by Kofi Tutu

Cooking can sometimes feel like a chore at the end of a busy day. It’s often tempting to throw a ready meal in the oven or call for take out. But preparing a simple and healthy family meal doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming. Here are some quick wholesome dishes that you and your family will love. They can even be prepared in advance.

Health

Better than Poutine

Posted on January 6, 2021January 23, 2021 by Kofi Tutu

I know, what could be better that a steaming plate of fries, gravy and cheese curd? Fries, gravy, cheese curd and bacon, that’s what! Throw in some fresh shallots, chilli, and a splash of roasted bone marrow and duck gravy, and we turn this popular French-Canadian dish into a something sublime.

Health

Breakfast at my House

Posted on January 6, 2021January 23, 2021 by Kofi Tutu

During the week we’re often walking out the door with a coffee in one hand and slice of toast in the other, but on weekends breakfast is never rushed. It’s a late affair, sometimes spilling over to lunch, with lots of reading and chatter in between courses of fruits, poached eggs, honey and toast. One of our favorite things we like to serve when friends are visiting are buckwheat blueberry pancakes.

Health

Roasted Pumpkin Soup

Posted on January 6, 2021January 23, 2021 by Kofi Tutu

There’s nothing better than a warm bowl of pumpkin soup on a cold autumn day. Combine your roasted pumpkin with some onion, garlic, vegetable broth, and a few spices, and give it some time to simmer away. Pair it with a few slices of fresh bread to turn it into something sublime.