The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has intensified efforts to combat the pervasive issues of incumbency abuse and vote-buying in the country’s elections.
Amid growing concerns over the detrimental effects of these practices on democracy and development, the coalition aims to educate the electorate on the long-term implications of accepting money for votes.
Addressing the media at a day’s workshop for journalists on the impact of serious organized crime on political financing, the Executive Secretary of the Coalition, Beauty Narteh stressed the justification by citizens for their acceptance of money from politicians.
“However, it’s imperative to understand that the small amounts being handed out are a fraction of what is rightfully theirs in terms of public services and infrastructure development,” she said.
The Coalition has been at the forefront of raising awareness about the true cost of vote-buying, emphasizing that the instant gratification of receiving money cannot compare to the lasting benefits of genuine development projects.
“The five or ten cedis being offered might seem appealing now, but in reality, it’s a trade-off where the voter loses much more,” she added.
Beauty Narteh also highlighted the issue of superficial development projects initiated close to election times, which often prove to be inadequate and unsustainable.
According to her, politicians go to communities to do quick fix developments, especially roads, and most times when it rains the next day everything is washed away.
“But you have given the person your vote already. And you thought he gave you a good road only for the rain to come and wash everything away. He has cheated you.”
“So why don’t we wise up as Ghanaians and hold duty-bearers accountable and realize that the Constitution has given us the power and the mandate so that we don’t sell it so cheap?”
She stressed that the power and mandate given to Ghanaians by the constitution should not be sold cheaply adding, “It’s time for Ghanaians to wise up and demand the development and integrity they deserve from their leaders.”