The AfriKan Continental Union Consult (ACUC), Ghana Chapter, has warned that Ghana’s democracy is suffering serious dilution as a result of vote trading and self-enrichment, following controversies surrounding the recent National Democratic Congress parliamentary primary in Ayawaso East.
According to them, the Ayawaso East election, which led to the recall of Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed from his post as Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, reflects long-standing weaknesses in Ghana’s democratic system that require urgent reforms.
In a policy proposal written by the Executive Director of ACUC Ghana, Dr. Benjamin Anyagre Aziginaateeg, and titled “Sanitizing Ghana’s Democracy from Electoral Malpractice,” he argued that vote buying continues to undermine democratic development in Ghana and other developing democracies.
“Third-world democracies, including Ghana’s, suffer from dilution through vote trading and self-enrichment, diverging sharply from advanced global standards. The Ayawaso East by-election underscores recurring vulnerabilities. Urgent legislative and administrative reforms are essential to foster mature, development-oriented democracy.”
He identified the growing monetisation of elections as a major challenge to political participation, noting that capable but financially constrained candidates are increasingly sidelined.
“Political participation prioritizes personal gain over public service, sidelining cash-strapped but committed leaders,” he noted.
Benjamin Aziginaateeg further observed that electoral contests now resemble commercial negotiations rather than democratic exercises, eroding public trust and weakening national development.
“Electoral processes resemble commercial haggling, eroding public trust and national development potential—as seen in historical patterns mirrored by the Ayawaso East saga,” he said.
Touching on the fallout from the Ayawaso East primary, the ACUC Ghana executive director called for an independent investigation into alleged misconduct, stressing that public condemnation alone is insufficient.
“The Ayawaso East by-election demands independent investigation, given allegations of misconduct. Parliament’s majority condemnation and annulment calls are commendable but insufficient without enforcement mechanisms,” he added.
As part of recommendations to sanitise Ghana’s electoral system, Aziginaateeg proposed the introduction of a Legislative Instrument to criminalise electoral offences, including vote buying and electoral violence.
He suggested that such a law should impose penalties such as disqualification from elections, fines of up to GH¢500,000, and prison terms ranging between five and ten years.
Additionally, he called for stronger accountability measures, including mandatory independent investigations by the Electoral Commission or a proposed Electoral Offences Tribunal within seven days of reported incidents.
To reduce the influence of money in politics, Dr. Aziginaateeg also recommended public funding support for vetted, low-resource candidates, as well as audits of political party financing.
“These measures, building on current productive steps like the officer’s recall, will reset practices, enhance democratic integrity, and align elections with national progress,” he said.
He further urged Parliament to prioritise electoral reform in its next session.
“Parliament must prioritize this L.I. in the next session to make Ghana’s democracy robust, attractive, and distinct from transactional markets.”
