Youth in Western Region kick towards vote-buying

An growing variety of residents, particularly youths, are firmly opposing vote-buying as political campaigns warmth up within the Western Region.

The youths have made the choice to place {qualifications} and efficiency file forward of economic or materials incentives supplied by political candidates.

With just a few days to the December 7 elections, the topic of suspected vote-buying has returned to the forefront, with a rising variety of residents, significantly younger folks, strongly condemning the act as political campaigns warmth up within the area.

In cities and villages throughout the Western Region, youth teams are embarking social media campaigns and neighborhood boards to teach residents concerning the risks of vote-buying.

These initiatives emphasize that accepting money or presents in alternate for votes undermines democracy and perpetuates poor governance.

“Politicians come to us with rice, T-shirts, or even cash, but we are telling them we are not for sale, we’re going to vote based on track record and competency, this time we are not going to sell our conscience to the politicians …We are looking for leaders who can create jobs, improve our roads, and invest in education not those who disappear after the election.” stated Emmanuel Ofori, a voter in Essikadu.

This wave of resistance displays a rising consciousness of the implications of vote-buying on governance and accountability. Advocacy teams just like the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) are amplifying these requires integrity within the electoral course of.

Michael Boadi, Fundraising Officer for the Ghana Integrity Initiative, has urged voters to reject candidates participating in vote-buying practices.

“If a political candidate cannot trust the integrity of his campaign, then we can’t trust him or her with the public purse..l will urge all Ghanaian to vote against any candidate who will seek to buy their votes” he stated.