Democracy Is Not For Sale: Souvenirs for voters are not vote buying – Nana Yaw Debrah

Nana Yaw Debrah, the Presiding Member for the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly, has clarified that distributing branded items to voters during political campaigns should not be perceived as vote buying. He emphasized that political candidates often use branded souvenirs as part of their campaign strategies to promote themselves and create awareness among voters.

"Political branding comes with souvenirs. So when you brand something and give it to people, that is not vote buying; it is selling yourself," Mr. Debrah stated.

While acknowledging that elections are a cornerstone of democracy, Mr. Debrah argued that democracy encompasses broader fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and freedom of movement. He elaborated, "Democracy even boils down to our freedom of speech and right of movement. Democracy is not basically about elections, although elections are the foundation of democracy."

However, Nana Yaw Debrah cautioned that accepting bribes during elections could jeopardize citizens' ability to exercise their rights and hold elected officials accountable. He warned, "When you take a bribe, you have sold your voice and your right."

Mr. Debrah emphasized that politicians are constantly seeking strategies to win elections and stressed that political souvenirs should not be automatically linked to financial inducements aimed at influencing voters. He clarified, "Politics is difficult. Everyone is looking for strategies to win the elections. We always confuse the two. In terms of giving souvenirs out, is it also vote buying? It is only trying to market the candidate."

Mr. Debrah's remarks were made during Adom Brands' public dialogue on the growing influence of money in Ghana's democratic process. The forum, titled "Democracy Is Not For Sale," took place at the Ascension Hall in Koforidua and was organized by Adom Brands of the Multimedia Group Limited in collaboration with the JoyNews Impact Makers Foundation.