Former Member of Parliament for Sefwi-Wiawso, Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, has called for an end to the practice of monetisation in Ghanaian politics, describing it as a corrupting influence that undermines democratic processes.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem morning show, Dr. Afriyie said the culture of paying delegates to secure votes has persisted for years and must be stopped.
“In Ghana, during elections, there is this culture of giving money to delegates to vote for us. They call it transport, allowances, or logistics, but it must cease. I congratulate Dr. Bawumia and we will do everything to support him because he means well, but these money issues in every election must stop. We must stop it,” he said.
Dr. Afriyie revealed that attempts to curb this practice within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were met with resistance.
“In fact, in the NPP, we had an opportunity to stop this, but for some reasons, the whole establishment didn’t accept it. Not only me, but Obiri Boahen and I shared the same ideas. Even for logistics, we informed our executives that if you are going to a nearby electoral area, no one should receive money for transport. If you are a party polling station executive, why should you be paid even for your transport? I don’t get it,” he added.
He described the practice as part of a wider culture of corruption that has engulfed the country.
“This is all part of corruption that has taken root in our society. Everyone wants to leverage every issue. Even in hospitals, you see people trying to jump the queue because they are used to paying for everything. Why do we Ghanaians always do this to ourselves?”
Dr. Afriyie’s remarks come amid reports from some delegates at selected voting centres that coordinators linked to certain flagbearer camps promised them cash during the NPP’s presidential primaries, highlighting that monetisation remains a concern in internal party elections.
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