James Gyakye Quayson, the Member of Parliament for Assin North, has been acquitted and discharged by the High Court following criminal charges related to allegations of dual citizenship.
The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, brings an end to a protracted legal battle over accusations that Quayson held Canadian citizenship when he filed to contest the 2020 parliamentary elections—an action the prosecution argued violated the Ghanaian Constitution.
Quayson, who consistently denied the allegations, maintained that he had renounced his Canadian citizenship before submitting his nomination. Speaking after the court’s decision, he expressed relief and gratitude for the ruling.
The acquittal followed a “no case to answer” submission made by Quayson’s legal team. In its judgment, the court determined that the prosecution had failed to establish the key elements of the alleged offenses.
The judge ruled that Quayson had not made any false declarations in his 2020 nomination forms. When he declared that he owed allegiance only to Ghana, the court found that he had already initiated the process to renounce his Canadian citizenship, which demonstrated no dishonest intent on his part.
The court also noted discrepancies in the passport summary sheet and statutory declarations presented by prosecution witnesses, which cast doubt on the credibility of their evidence.
As a result, the judge concluded that there was no reason to compel Quayson to open his defense.
Quayson had faced five charges, including forgery of a passport or travel certificate, making a false statutory declaration, perjury, and making a false declaration for office. The prosecution had alleged that he misled the Passport Office and the Electoral Commission by stating that he did not owe allegiance to another country.
With the High Court’s ruling, the legal uncertainty surrounding Quayson’s parliamentary seat has been resolved, enabling him to resume his duties as a legislator without further legal hindrances.
