News
Breaking News: Supreme Court declares election of Gyakye Quayson unconstitutional
The Supreme Court has declared as unconstitutional the election of James Gyakye Quayson as MP for Assin North.
In a unanimous decision Wednesday morning (May 17, 2023), a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court ordered Parliament to expunge the name of Mr Quayson as MP, reports Graphic Online’s Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson from the court.
It was the considered view of the court that the election of Mr Quayson breached Article 94(2) (a) of the 1992 Constitution because at the time he filed to contest the elections he was not qualified to be elected as a legislator since he had not renounced his dual citizenship
The court therefore declared Mr Quayson filling to contest, the EC’s decision to allow him to contest as well as his swearing-in as MP in Parliament as all unconstitutional, null and void.
The seven -member panel of the court was presided over by Justice Jones Dotse, with Justices Nene Amegatcher, Mariama Owusu, Gertrude Torkornoo, Prof Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi and Barbara Ackah-Ayensu
The court said the full reasons for its decision will be filed at the court’s registry by June 7, this year .
Plaintiff’s case against James Gyakye Quayson
In July 2021, Mr Michael Ankomah-Nimfah , a constituent of Assin -North won a judgment at the Cape Coast High Court nullifying Mr Quayson’s election on the basis that the MP held Canadian citizenship at the time he filed to contest the seat.
He then went to Supreme Court in January, this year for interpretation of Article 94 (2) (a), the same constitutional provision the High Court used to nullify Mr Quayson’s election.
His basis for going to the apex court was that despite the judgment by the High Court, Mr Quayson still continued to parade himself as an MP.
Mr Ankomah-Nimfah sought a declaration from the Supreme Court that upon a true and proper interpretation of Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution, at the time the EC opened nominations for people to file to contest the Assin North parliamentary seat, Mr Quayson held a Canadian citizenship and therefore was not eligible to contest.
Credit: Graphiconline
News
Aide Du Ciel presents over 50 laptops and projectors to selected schools in KEEA
With the world now connected as a global village through the power of computers, Aide Du Ciel, a France-based non-profit organization to wit ‘Help From Above,’ has presented over 50 laptops and projectors to some selected basic schools in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) Municipality in the Central Region.
The donation aims to enhance teaching and learning in the area, as many basic schools within the Municipality lack the necessary resources for effective ICT education.
The schools that received the donated laptops and projectors include Ntranoa M/A Basic School, Abee AME Zion School, Bronyibima M/A Basic School, Abreshia M/A Basic School, and Breman M/A Basic School, Wesley Basic School, Essaman United, Dominase Basic , Abreshia JHS and Nana Kwame Essoun.
During a media engagement, Mrs. Mary Frimpong, the founder of the organization and a Ghanaian based in France, shared the experience that motivated this generous act. She recalled visiting a basic school during one of her holidays in Ghana, where the students had no knowledge of how to use a computer.
This troubling situation inspired her to offer assistance to basic schools, particularly in Elmina and its surrounding areas, so that students could gain hands-on experience with computers.
Mrs. Frimpong emphasised that in today’s world, a student’s future could be at risk if they lack the ability to use a computer effectively.
Her goal is to ensure that every student in Elmina and its vicinity acquires comprehensive computer skills. She also urged the beneficiary schools to take proper care of the donated items, assuring them that her organization would frequently check on the condition of the laptops and projectors.
In interviews with Sompa TV’s Eric Annan, several heads of schools and teachers expressed their immense gratitude and excitement over the donation. They acknowledged that the equipment would significantly enhance teaching and learning, particularly in ICT, as the world becomes increasingly computerized.
Students from the beneficiary schools also expressed their joy and gratitude to Aide Du Ciel.
They noted that the laptops would greatly help them gain a better understanding and deeper knowledge of their ICT education.
By Benedicta Gyimaah Folley
News
Meeting with Muslim Leaders: Muntaka calls for unity in promoting peace and security
At a crucial meeting with Muslim Religious Leaders and Zongo Chiefs at the National Mosque Conference Room in Accra, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, Minister for the Interior called on the leaders to use their authority to support the security services to ensure peace and security in their communities.
According to him, Muslim Religious Leaders and Chiefs are well respected for shaping the moral fabric in the Zongo communities and there is the need for a collaborative approach to peace-building in the country for the safety of all.
On assumption of office, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has been engaging key stakeholders such as the Regional House of Chiefs, Christian Religious Leaders, Muslim Religious Leaders and Zongo Chiefs to foster partnership in improving social cohesion, addressing security concerns and promoting peace and security in the country.
The Minister expressed concern over security issues including vigilantism, land guard activities and chieftaincy issues in some parts of the country which have led to the imposition of curfews in those areas.
He urged the good people of Ghana to use appropriate means to resolve any challenges they may confront otherwise the peace of this country could be jeopardized and it will affect all.
The Minister urged them to identify community-based initiatives that promote peace and social cohesion, such as interfaith dialogue, community outreach programs and cultural events.
He also urged the development of a collaborative programme to address the root cause of conflict and establish open channels of communication between communities, the Ministry of the Interior and other stakeholders.
He also noted the need to identify community needs and develop targeted interventions that promote social and economic development.
On recent issues about drug abuse by some youth in the country which poses a significant threat to the nation’s well-being, undermining the very fabric of the society, the Minister condemned the act and called on the religious leaders and Zongo Chiefs to help the government by educating the public and promote peace and social cohesion to reverse the negative trend for the good of Ghana.
Muntaka Mubarak thanked them for honouring his invitation and encouraged them to build systems and mechanisms that would turn the Zongo Communities into more peaceful places of settlement.
The Ameer of Ahmadiya Mission Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih appealed to the Minister and other key stakeholders to help improve education in the Zongo Communities, as the lack of schools accounts for the challenges in those areas.
The Muslim Leaders and the Zongo Chiefs commended the Minister for the meeting. They prayed for him and wished him Allah’s guidance and protection.
