Former President John Dramani Mahama has informed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that the facts of the cases involving Adamu Sakande, the late Bawku Member of Parliament who was sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of making a false statement about his office and perjury, and disgraced Assin North lawmaker James Gyakye Quayson, who is also on trial for the same charges, are not the same.
He argued that President Akufo-Addo ought to stop deceiving the public by asserting that the two cases are identical.
Following President Akufo-Addo’s advice to Assin North residents not to cast their ballots for a candidate in the by-election who is currently on trial, Mr. Mahama made his remarks.
On Sunday, June 25, President Akufo-Addo said in a speech to a crowd in the district that electing a candidate with legal problems would prevent the district from experiencing the necessary development.
“They say even if Gyakye Quayson is in jail they will vote for him, are we going to vote for someone who is going to prison?
“What benefits will the people derive from voting for such a person? We want someone when he is voted for can come to me and plan how to develop the constituency.”
In response, Mr. Mahama said to a crowd on Sunday in the district, “Don’t mislead the people of Assin North into thinking that the two situations are the same.
“Adamu Sakande went to prison because he lied and concealed his passport. Gyakye Quayson has not hidden his passport. Prior to voting for him in 2020 Canada had accepted that he was no longer a Canadian citizen, what crime has he done?”
Stop misleading the people – Mahama tells Akufo-Addo on Gyakye Quayson-Sakande comparison.#TV3NewDay pic.twitter.com/FFGKgJmHFL
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) June 26, 2023
Meanwhile, if he wins reelection, former president John Dramani Mahama, has vowed to name James Gyakye Quayson as a minister.
Prior to the by-election scheduled for Assin North on Tuesday, June 27, Mahama assured residents of the area when he spoke to them over the weekend.
“He [Gyake Quayson] is humble, God-fearing, and respects everyone. If God helps me to be president, nothing will stop me from appointing him as a minister. Even as an opposition MP, look at what he has been able to do in terms of development from his own pockets. Just imagine what he would do if he becomes a minister,” Mahama added.
