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SC Ruling:I have no doubt in my mind, Assin North will vote forJustice and genuine development- Sammy Gyamfi
The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress, Sammy Gyamfi has reacted to the reasons assigned by the Supreme Court in arriving at a decision to kick out Assin North MP, Gyakye Quayson from Parliament.
He writes
Folks, I have just read the 35-page judgment of the Supreme Court on the Assin North matter:
The following preliminary thoughts come to mind readily:
- Section 20 (d) of the Representation of the Peopleโs Act (PNDC Law 284) provides that a Parliamentary candidate must be qualified at the time of his ELECTION. Strangely, the Supreme Court of Ghana in their judgment says that, qualification must be at the time of NOMINATION (i.e at the time a candidate files or submits his/her nomination form to the EC).
- The decision of the Supreme Court to annul Hon. Gyakye Quaysonโs election is solely based on the fact that, at the time he submitted his nomination form to the EC on 9th October, 2020, he had not received his certificate of renunciation of his Canadian citizenship and that he received same on 26th November, 2020.
- Even if we are to go by this strange position of the Supreme Court that qualification must be at the time of NOMINATION and not ELECTION, it is important to remind the Supreme Court that in the Nduom case, they held in effect, that the nomination period for an election, must extend beyond the submission of nomination forms and must include the period the EC uses to scrutinize submitted results, within which the EC is supposed to give candidates a hearing and an opportunity to rectify any anomalies on their nomination form. The nomination period therefore terminates after the EC has scrutinized submitted nomination forms, given candidates a hearing and an opportunity to rectify any anomalies on same and has reached a decision on the validity or otherwise of the nomination of the candidate.
- In the case of the 2020 Assin North election involving Hon. James Gyakye Quayson, he submitted his nomination form to the EC on 9th October, 2020. However, during the scrutiny of his submitted nomination forms by the EC, a petition challenging the validity of his nomination from an NPP group calling themselves โConcerned Citizens of Assin Northโ was presented to the EC in Accra, whereupon Hon. Quayson was invited by the Director of Elections of the EC, Dr. Serebour Quaicoo to respond to the issues raised against him on 27th November, 2020. A day before he appeared before the EC at their Headquarters in Accra, that is on 26th November, 2020, Hon. Quayson received his certificate of renunciation of his Canadian citizenship. This is why after investigating the matter, the EC accepted his nomination as valid and cleared him to contest the election on 27th November, 2020 because he had already received his certificate of renunciation a day prior.
- Note that the election was held on 7th December, 2020. Hon. Quayson applied to renounce his Canadian citizenship in December 2019. But for delays occasioned by COVID-19, he should have gotten his certificate of renunciation not later then June 2020. God being so good, he eventually received his certificate of renunciation on 26th November, 2020 as conceded by the Supreme Court. This was 10 clear days before his election. Note that, Section 20(d) of PNDC Law 284 says that qualification must be at the time of ELECTION.
As a discerning and objective Ghanaian, judge for yourself if the Supreme Court’s decision to annul Hon. Quaysonโs election is fair or not.
In all this, I am glad that the good people of Assin North in whom sovereignty resides, will have the opportunity to do JUSTICE in this matter once and for all, on 27th June, 2023. I have no doubt in my mind, having been on the ground and interacted with many of them the past few days, that they will not falter. And that, they will vote for Hon. James Gyakye Quayson. I have no doubt in my mind, that they will vote for JUSTICE AND GENUINE DEVELOPMENT.
Sammy Gyamfi Esq.
Organisers of the One Humanity International Beach Soccer Cup Ghana 2026 have announced the postponement of the tournament originally scheduled to take place from May 8 to May 10, 2026.
In a statement, the organisers explained that the decision was taken after recent tidal activity and coastal erosion affected the section of Laboma Beach designated for the competition venue.
According to them, the affected area no longer meets the technical and safety standards required for hosting an international beach soccer tournament.
They noted that the damaged section was intended for the construction of the tournament arena and other event infrastructure.
The organisers said extensive consultations were held and alternative options explored, but it was not possible within the available timeframe to secure another venue that met the operational, logistical and compliance requirements for the event.
The tournament is aligned with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations One Humanity Campaign and is supported by Beach Soccer Worldwide and the National Sports Authority.
According to the organisers, postponing the competition is in the best interest of all stakeholders and consistent with the standards and values of its international partners.
They stressed that although the development is unfortunate, they remain committed to promoting beach soccer and international sporting events in Ghana.
The organisers disclosed that efforts are currently underway to reschedule the tournament for October 2026.
They added that further details regarding the new dates and arrangements will be announced later after plans have been finalised.
By: Jacob Aggrey
News
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The Ministry of Health, in partnership with the World Bank Group, has launched a Regional Health, Nutrition and Population Strategy to drive a new era of stronger, more resilient healthcare systems across West and Central Africa.
Unveiled under the theme โFit to Prosper,โ the initiative targets critical challenges including infectious diseases, malnutrition, and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, while positioning health as a key engine of economic growth.
At the launch, Minister for Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh called for urgent and coordinated action across the region, stressing that health challenges are interconnected and demand collective solutions.
He noted that no country can achieve meaningful development without a strong and reliable health system.
Mr.Akandoh highlighted Ghanaโs ongoing efforts to expand primary healthcare, reduce financial barriers, and strengthen infrastructure, workforce capacity, and disease prevention systems, measures aimed at improving access and building resilience against future shocks.
The President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, noted that health remains central to Ghanaโs economic transformation agenda, stressing that investments in healthcare are not merely social spending but a critical foundation for productivity, innovation, and national prosperity.
Addressing participants on behalf of the President, the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, highlighted key reforms including the Free Primary Health Care Initiative and ongoing efforts to strengthen the National Health Insurance Scheme.
He noted that these measures are aimed at expanding access, improving the quality of care, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of healthcare financing.
World Bank Division Director Robert R Taliercio commended Ghanaโs leadership and longstanding partnership with the Bank, noting that the countryโs progress in improving health outcomes demonstrates what sustained investment and strong policy direction can achieve.
The one-day event brought together Ministers of Health from across West and Central Africa, senior government officials, representatives of the World Bank Group, development partners, health experts, academics, civil society organisations, and stakeholders from the private health sector to deliberate on strategies for strengthening regional health systems and improving population wellbeing.
