Transparency International Ghana Condemns Vote Buying in Ayawaso East Primary, Warns of Threat to Democratic Integrity
Transparency International Ghana (TI Ghana) has strongly condemned reported incidents of vote buying and inducements during recent political party primaries, warning that the practice poses a significant threat to Ghana’s democratic integrity and electoral credibility.
In a statement issued on Monday, February 9, 2026, the anti-corruption watchdog said the alleged distribution of high-value goods, including television sets, during the just-ended Ayawaso East Constituency primary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as well as during the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential primaries, reflects a worrying escalation in electoral misconduct.
According to TI Ghana, such acts constitute undue influence and cannot be justified as political goodwill, stressing that they undermine the principles of free, fair and transparent elections while eroding public confidence in Ghana’s democratic processes.
The organisation further noted that the increasing normalisation of inducements among sections of the electorate signals deeper structural challenges in political party financing and ethical standards governing elections. It cautioned that citizens who participate in or accept inducements are not only abdicating their civic responsibility but may also be in breach of the Representation of the People Act, 1992 (PNDCL 284), which criminalises bribery, treating and undue influence in elections.
TI Ghana commended President John Dramani Mahama for the swift recall of Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria following allegations linked to the Ayawaso East primary, describing the move as a positive signal of political accountability. The organisation also welcomed the Majority Caucus in Parliament’s call for the annulment of the Ayawaso East primary and sanctions against any candidates found culpable.
As part of its recommendations, TI Ghana urged citizens to prioritise national development over personal gain, commit to electing competent leaders, and report credible evidence of electoral corruption to the appropriate authorities. It also called on political parties to strengthen internal control mechanisms to prevent future occurrences.
The anti-graft body further appealed to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to pursue thorough investigations and prosecutions, while urging the judiciary to adjudicate such cases expeditiously to signal an end to electoral impunity and a shift towards accountability.
