The National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) has bemoaned the increasing monetisation of politics in Ghana saying it has the propensity to derail the country’s democracy.
According to the Commission, unlike before when politicians were the ones offering bribes to people to solicit their votes, the electorates themselves are now demanding monies from political office seekers.
During the launch of ‘Abatoɔ Asoɔeɛ‘, Onua TV and FM’s version of Election Command Centre Wednesday, September 11, 2024, a representative of the NCCE, Frederick Mawuli Agbenu, who spoke on behalf of the Commissioner stated that the trend is becoming worrying.
He lauded how Ghana has undergone eight major elections successfully to consolidate its democracy, but having a “friend” whose actions could impede the growth of the nation’s democracy and breed corruption.
“We’ve gone through all of them peacefully and our democracy is consolidated. But then, we have friends that could derail our democracy. Friends like money in politics. It is not only that politicians are now offering but electorates are demanding and that has repercussions for corruption in this country,” he stated.
He also cautioned against misinformation and disinformation saying “we know that’s also a cause that can bring us untold hardship in this country.”
Mr. Agbenu also admonished the youth to verify information before forwarding them out to others, since false information can create disaffection and cause mayhem in such electioneering periods.
“What I’ll advice especially for the first time voters is that, when they get information they don’t know the source, it’s very good for you to check because the kind of information that we send out cause disaffection and can derail our democracy so we should be very careful with that,” he advised.
The NCCE also spoke against men of God who are giving prophecies on the upcoming election.
In his comments, Mr. Agbenu stated that elections are based on issues and not prophecies, adding that such prophecies interfere with the electioneering processes.
“Apart from that, we also have religious interference in this country. Prophecies that are coming in at this time. We want to have an election that is based on issues,” he added, lauding Media General’s effort in ensuring a free and fair polls for Ghanaians.
“And the NCCE is happy that Media General, being the Fourth realm of the Republic is setting up an Election Command Centre needed that there will be transparency in the electoral process”
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Agbenu stated that “the NCCE will do all within its power to sensitise and educate the population so that they will do the right thing.”
