Professor John Osae Kwapong, political analyst and CDD fellow, says the increasing monetisation of Ghanaian politics, including public inducements during internal party elections, threatens the integrity of democracy.
Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Monday (9 February), Kwapong cited the East NDC parliamentary primary in Ayawaso East as an example of a broader trend. He said candidates and their supporters now openly offer material incentives such as televisions and motorcycles to delegates on voting day.
“This is no longer done privately. The growing practice of vote buying and justifying it publicly is alarming. It distorts internal party democracy and compromises accountability,” Kwapong said.
He warned that delegate-based primaries are particularly vulnerable, as a small number of voters are easier to influence than the broader party membership.
He advocated for open primaries, where every registered party member can vote, to make inducements more difficult and enhance the quality of candidates who eventually contest national elections.
Kwapong also supported investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor into alleged vote buying, describing institutional oversight by political parties, the Electoral Commission, and anti-corruption bodies as crucial for protecting electoral integrity.
“If decisive action is not taken, it sends a message that it is acceptable to buy votes, undermining trust in the political system,” he said.
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