Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana’s Department of Political Science, Dr Kwame Asah-Asante, has cautioned that Ghana’s growing culture of vote-buying could soon reach alarming levels, with politicians potentially distributing luxury vehicles such as Range Rovers to influence voters.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Monday, February 9, Dr Asah-Asante said inducement in elections has become increasingly normalised, largely because society has failed to consistently condemn or punish the practice.
“We have seen time and again where political actors induce people. Go and give goodies to voters just to sway their votes to one direction or another and we allow it to go. We as a society have acquiesced to that and allowed this thing to go on.
“Now look at how they’re taking the conversation to the level that they’re taking it to with the distribution of television and whatnot. A time will come, I’m sure they’re going to distribute even Range Rovers,” he cautioned.
Dr Asah-Asante also questioned whether political parties genuinely have the resolve to deal with vote-buying, even when committees are set up to investigate such allegations.
He pointed out that while parties often promise to act on recommendations, enforcement remains uncertain.
However, he expressed skepticism about whether any party can truly crack down on inducement when the practice has become widespread.
“Are you sure the party will have the political will to crack the whip if any recommendation is given in that direction?” he asked.
While welcoming ongoing investigations into alleged vote-buying, Dr Asah-Asante maintained that meaningful accountability will be the real test. “We look forward to seeing something like that. But for me, I still have my doubts.”
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com