0
0 Private legal practitioner Victoria Bright has raised alarm over the growing influence of money in Ghana’s electoral politics, warning that voter inducement has evolved into a “business model” that is steadily eroding democratic governance.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Ms Bright said inducement in elections is neither new nor confined to one political party, arguing that the practice has become entrenched across the political divide.
“It is not the first time we are hearing of inducement of any sort in elections in this country; in fact, it happens across both political parties, and it’s become almost like a business model,” she said. “And I use the word ‘business model’ because you pay the money, you will get your seat, and you go and sit there.”
She explained that the high cost of inducement, particularly in constituencies with large delegate numbers, creates perverse incentives that distract elected officials from governance.
“So clearly, if you go and sit there instead of worrying about the job, you are worrying about the cost recovery exercise. So, where is the governance? You are not doing your job,” she said.
Ms Bright warned that the cumulative effect of inducement practices weakens democracy and ultimately affects all citizens.
“These are some of the things that I get upset about, because all these things in their totality weaken our democracy; in the end, we all suffer,” she noted.
According to her, money has become the decisive factor in elections at every stage of the political process.
“The brutal truth of the matter is that we have gotten to a point now where it’s money that really is deciding elections, pure and simple, at every level from the polling station all the way up to the top,” she said. “Money decides the election before the voters even do, so the vote almost becomes superfluous in some cases.”
She called for national reflection on the issue, describing the situation as unsustainable.
“So it’s something that we have to pause and think, we really have to pause and think because it’s really untenable,” she said.
Ms Bright also criticised what she described as hypocrisy within the political system, questioning how many elected officials could genuinely claim to be free from inducement.
“It’s only when, when, when people are caught that they suddenly remember that there’s some law somewhere,” she said. “And then there’s a big fanfare about it. And then before you realise it, it all quietens down, and it’s business as usual.”
Her comments come amid controversy surrounding the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Ayawaso East parliamentary primaries, where Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed has been accused of distributing items, including 32-inch television sets and boiled eggs, to delegates on voting day.
Some party insiders and delegates allege the items were inducements that may have influenced voting patterns and contributed to Mr Baba Jamal’s victory. His supporters, however, deny any wrongdoing, insisting the claims are exaggerated.
In response, the NDC leadership has set up a three-member committee to investigate the allegations and recommend measures to curb inducement in future internal elections. The committee is expected to submit its report by February 10, 2026.
Ms Bright welcomed the move but questioned why similar investigations had not followed previous elections.
“I think that the party is right to set up a committee to investigate. What I’m questioning is why it hasn’t done so in all the other elections where this has happened,” she said. “Because Ayawaso East is not the only election in which we have had this kind of thing.”
She cautioned against prejudging the outcome of the probe.
“If the issues are now being probed, if they are now being investigated, then how does one jump the gun and say someone is guilty?” she asked.
Referring to Mr Baba Jamal’s public defence, she said his explanation would form part of the inquiry.
“That said, we also had Baba Jamal on TV saying that, look, I have done these things; it’s not what you’re accusing me of. It’s something that I do all the time. I give loans,” she said. “And the timing—there’s a credibility gap there because the timing is a bit too coincidental, and it’s difficult.”
Ms Bright stressed that the investigation must be transparent, fair and credible, and that its findings must be enforced.
“If they are investigating their own house, then it’s very important that whoever is found culpable, after a fair and thorough investigation, should be dealt with in a way that confirms the trust that Ghanaians have reposed.”
