The Member of Parliament for New Juaben South, Michael Okyere Baafi, has expressed deep concerns over what he describes as the growing influence of money in Ghana’s elections, warning that the trend poses a significant threat to the country’s democracy.
Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM, the NPP MP recounted how vote-buying tactics affected his constituency ahead of the election in the Akwatia Constituency.
“When my people were being discouraged because, three days before the election, the NDC started constructing roads in the area,” he revealed. “They brought a truckload of spray machines, hair dryers, and fertilisers.”
According to him, despite having the right message and doing everything necessary to win the hearts of voters, money often determines the outcome.
“I started doing politics since my school days, so I am very experienced,” Baafi said.
“If politics continue to be on this trajectory, then Ghanaians are going to have a huge problem.
“You can have a good message and do all the fundamentals necessary to win, but if money is not involved, the voters lean towards the one with the huge money.”
Baafi cautioned that unless the monetisation of elections is addressed, the country risks a future where policies and performance take a back seat to financial influence.
