The Programmes Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Dr. Imurana Mohammed, has warned Ghanaians against engaging in ‘vote buying’ during this year’s general elections, stating that it could lead to imprisonment, fines, and disqualification of candidates.
Speaking at an event organized by the NCCE on Friday as part of this year’s Constitution Week celebration, Dr. Mohammed emphasized that monetization and disinformation pose significant threats to Ghana’s democracy, and if left unchecked, could disrupt the country’s peace.
He cited the Ejisu by-election incident, where a man allegedly dropped an envelope containing money for EC officials, as an example of the problem. “We’ve come to a point where one of the main factors for winning public office is a candidate’s capacity to give money to voters. If we don’t put an end to it, it will be our downfall,” he said.
Dr. Mohammed stressed that accepting money from politicians before casting votes deprives citizens of proper representation in government. “Positions should be filled by individuals based on their qualifications, not by those who offer the most money,” he added.
The Deputy Director General of Administration of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, commended the Prisons Service for its dedication to promoting peace in the country and encouraged the media to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the constitution and inform the public about their rights and duties.
“Everyone must read the constitution. When you read the constitution, no one can bully you,” she said.
The Deputy Director of Communications of the NCCE, Mrs. Rita Amparbin, appealed to the media to refrain from spreading misinformation, hate speech, personal attacks, and divisive utterances.
The event, held under the theme “Together We can build Ghana, so get involved,” brought together dignitaries from the Ghana Prisons Service and representatives from the NCCE to discuss plans to ensure a peaceful, free, and fair election.
