Crusaders Against Corruption has condemned acts of vote buying and voter inducement in Ghana’s electoral process, warning that the practice undermines the country’s democratic foundations and violates existing electoral laws.
In a press statement issued to media houses on January 9, the anti-corruption civil society organisation described vote buying as “unlawful, unethical, and fundamentally dangerous” to free and fair elections, stressing that exploiting economic hardship to influence voters is both illegal and morally reprehensible.
“Vote buying, whether through cash, gifts, food items, or promises of material benefit, is expressly prohibited under Ghana’s electoral laws,” the group said, citing provisions in the 1992 Constitution, the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I. 127), and the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
According to the group, these laws criminalise corrupt electoral practices and provide sanctions for individuals who seek to improperly influence voters, regardless of political affiliation.
This follows widespread controversy surrounding the primaries, after reports emerged that Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed allegedly distributed items, including 32-inch television sets and boiled eggs, to delegates during the voting process.
Party insiders and delegates claim the items were perceived as inducements and may have influenced voting patterns, ultimately contributing to his victory in the contest.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor has also announced investigations into similar vote-buying allegations involving both the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The NDC leadership has, in recent days, constituted a three-member committee to probe the allegations in Ayawaso East and recommend reforms to curb inducement in future contests.
The committee is expected to submit its report by February 10, 2026.
Crusaders Against Corruption argued that such practices violate the constitutional principles of free, fair and transparent elections and erode the sovereign right of Ghanaians to choose their leaders without coercion.
The group further criticised what it described as an ad-hoc approach to addressing vote buying, insisting that stronger enforcement of existing laws is the only sustainable solution.
As part of its demands, the organisation called on the Presidency to formally alert relevant state investigative bodies to ensure strict enforcement of the law “irrespective of who or which political party is involved.”
It also urged Parliament to exercise its oversight responsibility by immediately summoning relevant state institutions to act decisively on alleged cases of vote buying.
In addition, Crusaders Against Corruption demanded accountability from the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), calling for a public update on how alleged vote-buying cases from previous elections are being handled.
“The OSP must give an immediate account to citizens on how his office has applied these laws in the numerous alleged vote-buying cases he claims are under investigation,” the statement added.
About the Author
