Peter Yaw Kwakye-Ackah, the Member of Parliament for Amenfi Central has declared that he is not perturbed by the minority caucus’ efforts to declare his seat and that of three others vacant.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, Mr. Kwakye-Ackah stated that his decision to run as an Independent candidate in the upcoming 2024 general elections is a result of what he terms as unfair treatment on the part of his party, the NDC.
He cited his disqualification from the party’s parliamentary primaries and the party’s endorsement of his opponent as unfair.
He also added that even though there are conversations and controversies surrounding his seat, he is still determined to contest as an Independent candidate in the upcoming elections.
“No, I am not worried at all because if there is an action, any action should warrant a reaction. Action and reaction should be equal and opposite. So if you are going to do that, you must know. You know the rules and the laws. But you stand on some principle. You know, if you cast your mind back at this phenomenon, the current second Deputy Speaker. Yes, he had the same experience. He went as an independent candidate and his seat was declared vacant by then Speaker of Parliament, Professor Michael Ocquaye. At that time, there was a lot of argument here and there. People did not agree. But finally, he gave the ruling that since he has gone independent, he is no more a Member of Parliament. But some also argue that the statement was there to prevent cross-carpeting.
He continued, “We are saying that in the next Parliament, we want to be independent. I have not said that I have resigned from my position. I am not saying that. So for this Parliament, I said that I am an NDC member. But I have given notice that after this Parliament, the next one, I am going to be an independent candidate. So some schools of thought interpret the law to be like that. However, we are waiting for the ruling of the Speaker. He is an experienced man. He was there when Michael Ocquaye did that ruling, whether he liked it at that time or not. Now it is his turn. The ball is in his court, whether to follow that precedent or to bring his ruling,” the lawmaker stated.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Salimatu Nuhu
