The Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, has been acquitted and discharged by the High Court after a long-standing legal battle over allegations of dual citizenship.
The ruling, delivered on April 9, 2025, brings an end to the protracted proceedings that began with claims that Quayson held Canadian citizenship when he filed to contest the 2020 parliamentary elections.
Mr. Quayson consistently denied the charges, maintaining that he had renounced his Canadian citizenship prior to submitting his nomination forms. He expressed relief after the verdict, describing the ruling as a vindication of his stance throughout the case.
The prosecution failed to prove the essential elements of the alleged offenses, leading to Quayson’s acquittal. The judge ruled that Quayson had not made any false declarations in his 2020 nomination forms, as he had already submitted an application to renounce his Canadian citizenship.
The court also pointed out inconsistencies in the passport summary sheet and statutory declarations provided by prosecution witnesses, undermining the credibility of the evidence presented.
Charges faced by Quayson included forgery of passport or travel certificate; knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury and false declaration for office.
The High Court’s ruling has lifted the legal cloud over Quayson’s parliamentary seat, allowing him to continue his work as a legislator without further obstruction. With this victory, Quayson can focus on serving his constituents without the looming threat of legal repercussions.
