Declare election of Amoako null and void — Legal Committee

Page 16, July 21, 2008
Story: Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah

THE Legal Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has recommended to the party to declare as null and void the application, vetting and election of Professor Kwadwo Amoako as its aspiring parliamentary candidate for Abuakwa North.
The committee took the decision after its meeting on July 9, 2008, during which it deliberated on the matter based on a number of documents it received.
According to a letter addressed to the party’s National Chairman, Mr Peter Mac-Manu, the committee said it received petitions from the Abuakwa North Constituency Chairman, Mr Douglas Asare, the sitting Member of Parliament, Mr J.B. Danquah Adu, the Polling Station Chairman of the constituency, Mr Kwabena Asare, and a response from Prof. Amoako.
According to the letter, the committee took that decision because “at the time of submitting his application for adoption as a Member of Parliament, per the party’s constitution, Article II (4) and VI, Prof Amoako was not eligible to apply as he owed allegiance to another country other than Ghana”.
“The declaration was, therefore false as of that time he did not qualify to be elected as an MP, being a citizen of another country, ” the letter explained.
Article II (4) (VI) of the NPP Constitution states that “No member shall be entitled to apply for nomination as the party’s parliamentary candidate for any constituency unless he or she qualifies under the electoral laws to be a parliamentary candidate for the constituency”.
The letter explained that when Dr Amoako made a declaration on his citizenship, he declared that he was qualified to be elected to Parliament under the Constitution of the Fourth Republic and the party’s Constitution, Rules and Regulations.
However, the committee found out as per the attachment of Mr Douglas Asare’s petition documents emanating from the US Embassy and the Embassy of Ghana that Prof Amoako was still an American citizen as of June 10, 2008.
It also indicated that he naturalised in the New York City on March 10, 1995 and held an American passport.
There was no record indicating that he had renounced his citizenship.