The Director of Research at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Dr John Kwakye has told the Minority in Parliament to allow the court system to work in the trial of their members and stop the boycott of Parliament over the prosecution.
Dr Kwakye wondered how the boycotts by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmakers will affect the outcome of the trials.
“Checks and balances require that Parliament allow the judiciary to perform its functions unfettered. The continual presence of parliamentarians in court to support their colleague amounts to interference with the work of the judiciary.
“How will boycotting Parliament to support a colleague in court affect the outcome of the case? We should allow our court system to work.
“Boycotting Parliament is not the best way to support a colleague in court. It amounts to dereliction of duty and sets a bad precedent. We should allow our court system to work,” he tweeted.
The Minority in Parliament stayed away from sittings of Parliament on Thursday, July 6 to enable members to accompany and solidarize with two members of their caucus, the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and lawmaker for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson.
The two appeared in court in their respective ongoing prosecutions by the Attorney-General and the NPP Government.
A statement issued by Minority Chief Whip Kwame Agbodza said “The Minority stands united with our colleagues, and as such will not be able to honour the business of the house today.
“This is the beginning of a series of actions that the Caucus will be embarking on to end the ongoing persecution of the Minority Leader himself, the Hon. James Gyakye Quayson and the Hon. Collins Dauda. We wish to reiterate the point that amidst persecution, cooperation will suffer.”
Their Leader, Ato Forson earlier indicated that the caucus had resolved to solidarise with James Gyakye Quayson until his trial in court was done with.
