A private legal practitioner, Kofi Bentil, has cited poverty as the reason why the phenomenon of vote buying will not abate in Ghana’s democracy.
He said for as long as the ordinary Ghanaian cannot make ends meet, they will look everywhere, including monies doled out by politicians for their votes, as a source of livelihood.
“Vote buying won’t stop. Any intervention will just push it to another level. The real problem is poverty,” he said on the KeyPoints on TV3 Saturday, February 14.
He said this while contributing to discussion on the implication of vote buying on Ghana’s democracy.
All the discussants were unanimous in their condemnation of the practice.
Mr Bentil said until politicians use the opportunity granted them by the electorate to improve their living conditions, they (voters), will demand their pound of flesh.
“In a country where we are extremely poor, regardless of what people in Accra and the ruling elite say, we are really struggling,” he said.
“We have a four-year cycle, and the delegates will tell you that we only see these guys once in every four years. They are able to extract things from them once in four years. They will tell you that after this period, there is nothing I will tell this guy that he would listen. If I call him, he won’t even pick-up,” Mr Bentil explained.
The discussion was held against the backdrop that there was a widespread incidence of vote buying during the parliamentary primary held in the Ayawaso East Constituency by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Consequently, the NDC constituted a three-member committee chaired by former National Security Minister, Kofi Totobi Quakyi to investigate allegations of widespread inducement and vote buying.
In a statement signed by the General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, on Saturday, February 7, the party said the committee had until Tuesday, February 10, 2026, to submit its findings.
“In line with the Party’s commitment to internal democracy, transparency and ethical political conduct, the Committee will investigate the allegations and make appropriate recommendations, including sanctions where necessary,” the statement said.
The party, however, cleared the eventual winner Baba Jamal, due to lack of constitutional basis and time constraints, to contest the election on its ticket.
