Successive governments’ lip service in the fight against corruption is long overdue. What is required is strong political will — allowing state institutions to function independently and ensuring that anyone found culpable under the law is dealt with accordingly.
Although Ghana has comprehensive anti-corruption laws enshrined in its statute books, the lack of political will has weakened enforcement. As a result, corruption has permeated institutions at various levels, with state bodies such as the police and other agencies often unable to act decisively.
There are growing calls for the criminalisation and strict enforcement of laws against vote buying — a practice many believe has undermined Ghana’s democracy. Critics warn that if urgent steps are not taken, electoral victories could increasingly go to the highest financial bidder rather than the most competent candidate.
Observers argue that the only effective way to combat corruption is through genuine political will and a firm commitment to allowing institutions to operate independently in accordance with the law. While governments often declare their commitment to fighting corruption, critics say practical enforcement remains weak.
They insist it is time for the government to demonstrate its resolve by empowering state institutions to apply the law consistently and without fear or favour, rather than merely creating an appearance of action.
Emmanuel Wilson Jnr, Chief Crusader of Crusaders Against Corruption and an anti-corruption campaigner, made these remarks on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Alexander Nana Dogbey in Accra.
In a related development, civil society organisation Crusaders Against Corruption has strongly condemned alleged vote buying and voter inducement that marred the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary primary in the Ayawaso East Constituency over the weekend.
The group has called on President John Dramani Mahama to ensure swift action by Ghana’s investigative bodies against anyone found culpable.
In a press release issued to media houses, the organisation reiterated that vote buying — whether in the form of cash, gifts, food, or other material benefits — is “unlawful, unethical, and fundamentally threatens the integrity of our democratic system.”
The statement emphasised that such conduct is expressly prohibited under Ghana’s constitutional and electoral laws, including the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I. 127), and the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The Ayawaso East primary, held on Saturday, February 7, was overshadowed by allegations that delegates were induced with items such as 32-inch television sets and cash, raising concerns about the integrity of the internal party election. In response, the NDC established a three-member committee, chaired by veteran politician Kofi Totobi Quakyi, to investigate the claims and recommend sanctions by February 10.
Crusaders Against Corruption, however, urged authorities to move beyond rhetorical condemnation and ensure decisive enforcement of the law.
“We strongly condemn all acts of vote buying and voter inducement in the electoral process in Ghana. These practices are unlawful, unethical, and fundamentally threaten the integrity of our democratic system,” the statement said.
The group further demanded that the Presidency formally direct the appropriate investigative bodies to enforce electoral laws “irrespective of who or which political party is involved.”
It also called on Parliament to exercise its oversight responsibility by ensuring that relevant institutions act in accordance with the law. Additionally, the organisation urged the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to provide the public with an account of how existing laws have been applied in previous alleged vote-buying cases.
Emmanuel Wilson Jnr described vote buying as a threat not only to party politics but to Ghana’s democratic fabric.
“Vote buying, whether through cash, gifts, food items, or promises of material benefit, undermines the sovereign right of the Ghanaian people to choose their leaders without coercion or inducement,” the statement noted.
The controversy has already attracted national attention. The Office of the Special Prosecutor has announced investigations into both NPP and NDC primaries over similar allegations, focusing on the sources of the alleged corrupt practices and related misconduct.
Within the NDC, the matter escalated after the party’s Majority Caucus in Parliament called for the annulment of the Ayawaso East primary and possible sanctions against implicated candidates. Other political actors have also criticised the alleged practices as an erosion of democratic norms.
Crusaders Against Corruption concluded its statement with a call for enforcement, accountability, and the transparent application of the rule of law, warning that without concrete action, public confidence in Ghana’s democratic processes will continue to erode.