Quayson prison comment: Akufo-Addo spoke in a context; he referred to statements by Mahama, NDC – Kofi Tontoh

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo spoke in a certain context regarding the Gyakye Quayson prison comment he made, a member of the communications team of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kofi Tontoh, has said.

“[President Akufo-Addo] was referencing comments by the NDC and former President Mahama that even if Gyakye Quayson is in jail they will vote for him. He said that if you are in jail how do you develop Assin? I don’t recall the president making a categorical statement,” he said on the New Day on TV3 Wednesday, June 28.

On Sunday, June 25, while speaking at the Church of Pentecost in Assin Akonfudi in the Assin North Constituency in the Central Region, President Akufo-Addo insinuated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate in the by-elections was a candidate for prison.

“They say even if Gyakye Quayson is in jail they will vote for him, are we going to vote for someone who is going to prison?

“What benefits will the people derive from voting for such a person? We want someone when he is voted for can come to me and plan how to develop the constituency.”

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament-elect for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson has told President Akufo-Addo that he is innocent until proven guilty by the court.

Mr Gyakye Quayson said he was disappointed to hear the prison comment made by the President regarding his criminal trial in court.

Speaking to journalists just before he was declared winner of the Tuesday, June 27 by-election, he said “I believe in the rule of law and I  do things according to the law. Also, I had the support of my constituents, not just the people of Assin North alone, my NDC fraternity, and people from the other side of the aisle which is the NPP who were supporting me.  They may not be able to identify themselves publicly.

“I was treated unfairly but as I said I had to abide by the court’s decision. If they didn’t believe in what I did, now they know the results.”

Regarding Mr Akufo-Addo’s comment, he said “I was a bit disappointed when I heard it. I know he is a lawyer and the fundamental value of the legal system is that you are innocent until proven guilty. So for him to say that, I think it is not a qualified statement.

“Again the good people of Assin North have demonstrated that they have a conscience and they believe in me.”

 

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