Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Emmanuel Victor Smith, has warned against the rising culture of vote-buying, describing it as the seed of corruption that takes root even before political power is attained.
His comments follow allegations of vote-buying during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primaries on February 7, in which former Deputy Minister of Tourism, Baba Jamal, was accused of distributing 32-inch televisions to voters, along with boiled eggs to delegates after voting had started. The alleged giveaways reportedly caused jostling among voters scrambling to receive the items.
Speaking on the issue, Ambassador Smith emphasised that offering money, gifts, or favours during elections should never be mistaken for generosity.
“When money or gifts are used to influence voters, we must call it what it truly is: corruption in its earliest form. It is not generosity. It is not kindness. It is an investment,” he said.
He explained that politicians who secure office through inducements often shift their focus from public service to recouping campaign expenses, rewarding sponsors, and pursuing personal interests, effectively turning the public purse into a reimbursement account.
“Vote-buying does not merely distort elections; it manufactures corruption after elections. Fighting corruption only in government contracts while tolerating it at the ballot box is self-deception,” Ambassador Smith added.
According to him, accepting inducements weakens citizens’ ability to hold leaders accountable, while offering such inducements erodes the moral integrity of politics.
The ambassador called on both politicians and voters to reject inducement-driven politics and embrace a politics of conscience to protect Ghana’s democracy and promote ethical leadership.
Referencing the Ayawaso East by-election, Ambassador Smith warned that the open distribution of televisions, motorcycles, or cash to voters must be recognised as corruption, urging law enforcement agencies to act whenever such practices occur.
“Elections should never be auctions,” he reminded, quoting Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew.
