Democracy Is Not For Sale: EC Deputy Director warns against money, bribery in elections

Edward Gyamfi, the Deputy Director of the Electoral Commission in the Eastern Region of Ghana, has raised alarms about the increasing influence of money and bribery in the country's democratic processes. He cautioned that while money has its place in society, using it to sway voters can jeopardize Ghana's democracy and lead to severe repercussions.

Gyamfi emphasized that the people hold the ultimate power, as stated in the Constitution's preamble, entrusting leaders with the responsibility of improving the country. Speaking at Adom Brands' public dialogue titled "Democracy Is Not For Sale," held at the Ascension Hall in Koforidua, he urged all stakeholders to respect the laws governing Ghana's democratic system.

Article 46 of the 1992 Constitution guarantees the Electoral Commission's independence in carrying out its duties. Gyamfi stressed the importance of adhering to these laws and warned against the dangers of bribery, stating that "money is good, but if we are not careful of bribery, that will cost us as a country."

The deputy director expressed particular concern about the influence of financial inducements, such as gifts and incentives, on the younger generation. He noted that even primary school children use toffees to persuade their peers to vote for them, a concerning trend that needs urgent attention from parents, schools, political actors, and other stakeholders to prevent the culture of vote-buying from becoming deeply ingrained in society.

Gyamfi urged Ghanaians to safeguard the country's democratic gains by respecting electoral laws and making voting decisions based on candidates' competence and integrity rather than monetary inducements.