The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, is noted to have said that Ghana’s electoral process is characterized by monetization to alarming proportions.
Justice Emile Short also says vote buying is distorting the country’s politics and this needs to be addressed.
GBC’s Radio Ghana sought the views of some political parties on the issue.
The General Secretary of the Great Consolidated Peoples Party, Ato Dadzie, notes that the affluent lifestyle of Politicians is what influences the electorate to demand money and other material things from aspirants before casting their vote.
This, he said affects the outcomes of polls regarding the caliber and competency of people elected into leadership positions. He said this is the bane to the country’s development.
Mr. Dadzie said there is the need to regularize political parties, to determine how much they spend during campaigns and elections, to put a hold on overspending and vote buying.
The Acting General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), James Kwabena Bonfeh, said there is the need to adhere to the laws governing political parties and the electoral process.
He intimated that the electorate, look out for qualities and competencies of people vying for positions, instead of money and other things that could only bring about underdevelopment due to the desire for money over good leadership.
Mr. Bonfeh cautioned people not to enter politics because of money.
Governance Expert
Meanwhile, a Governance Expert, Dr. Eric Oduro Osae, has called for the state to create a National Political Party and a Campaign Fund to reduce the issue of vote buying and the monetisation of politics.
He told GBC’s George Ankrah that the state also needs to strengthen the anti-corruption laws to prevent chaos in Ghana’s fledgling democracy.
He called for a national dialogue on the issue to protect the sanity of the nation.
