Civil society advocate Edward Gyamfi says the growing practice of vote buying in Ghana’s elections continues to thrive because neither politicians nor voters are prepared to openly condemn it.
According to him, although many Ghanaians acknowledge that vote buying is harmful to democracy, both those offering money and those accepting it have deliberately chosen to overlook the practice.
“Most of us are aware that vote buying isn’t good for our democracy. However, both the giver and the receiver have made up their minds that they are going to ignore that fact,” he said.
Mr Gyamfi cautioned voters against accepting money from politicians, arguing that doing so could undermine their ability to demand accountability from the same politicians after they are elected.
“Some people forget that after taking a bribe, you can’t go and ask the person for accountability. You have taken your share, no matter how small the bribe was,” he stated.
He also described what he said was a growing trend where political parties provide money to voters under the guise of transportation allowances.
According to him, voters are sometimes given specific times to report to polling stations but fail to turn up until they have received financial inducements.
“If you ask any politician, they will tell you they don’t bribe. Some even call it transportation fee to voters. We all see it, but who bears the cost?” he questioned.
Mr Gyamfi was speaking at Adom Brands’ public dialogue on the growing influence of money in Ghana’s democratic process.
The forum, dubbed “Democracy Is Not For Sale,” is being held at the Ascension Hall in Koforidua and is organised by Adom Brands of the Multimedia Group Limited in partnership with the JoyNews Impact Makers Foundation.
The dialogue is bringing together stakeholders to examine the impact of money on Ghana’s democratic processes and the need to protect the integrity of elections.
READ ALSO:
Democracy Is Not For Sale: EC Deputy Director warns against money, bribery in elections
Democracy Is Not For Sale: NCCE’s Ophelia Ankrah urges action to curb vote buying
