The Director for the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in New Juaben South, Clement Donkor, has expressed concerns about the increasing monetization in politics.
He warned that this trend could undermine the democratic process and hinder critical developmental discussions during the inter-party dialogue held in Koforidua.
“You cannot hold them accountable if you collect money from them; it’s an electoral offense. We must put an end to it,” he stated.
“It destroys trust and the integrity of free and fair elections. Candidates often believe they can buy votes with money.” He added.
Clement Donkor noted that some individuals openly admitted to accepting money from politicians, emphasizing the urgent need to combat vote-buying.
“The police must begin arresting those involved in this practice to put a stop to it,” he emphatically suggested.
The dialogue brought together representatives from all political parties in the New Juaben South Constituency, traditional leaders, Police officials, the Electoral Commission, Journalists, the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAG), and Civil Society Organizations.
He also advised the media to avoid sensational headlines and misinformation that could lead to disputes and conflict during the electoral process.
The New Juaben South Electoral Commission Officer, Gifty Nyamekye Manteaw said ignorance of electoral laws among party supporters often leads to communication issues that escalate into conflict. She warned against violating these laws.
Superintendent Ransford Nsiah urged politicians to adhere to the Public Order Act of 1994. He pointed out that political parties frequently fail to submit their event plans to the police on time, as required by law.
“The police must be notified five days in advance of any scheduled program,” he stated. “This allows for advice on the location, time, or day to avoid clashes with opponents, which often end in unrest.”
An official from CHRAG advised constituents to reject politicians who attempt to buy their votes, warning that such practices lead to corruption as elected officials seek to recoup their expenditures once in office.
To address these issues, a new Inter-Party Dialogue Committee has been established to promote awareness of peace and to manage disputes that may arise during the 2024 electoral process.
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