Former NDC Member of Parliament for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini, cautioned on Joy News’ PM Express that the rising cost of political contests is breeding corruption across the country. He said, “A politician is not an NGO, and so when people spend that amount of money, they expect to recoup that, and that fuels corruption on a national scale.”
Fuseini’s remarks come amid reports of widespread alleged vote‑buying during the NDC’s latest internal executive elections. He warned that the financial demands of campaigning determine who can enter politics and who must stay away, noting that women and the youth are most affected because they lack the resources to compete. He added, “People with integrity and reputations for service were also shying away from politics because they could not afford the sums involved.”
The former MP highlighted that the NDC’s constitution lacks a legal mechanism to deal with inducement, making disciplinary action difficult. His committee has recognised the need for sanctions after admitting that inducement occurred in the recent elections, but it found no constitutional provision to address it. Fuseini said the party must define misconduct, identify the bodies authorised to handle complaints, and determine where legitimate assistance ends and inducement begins.
He questioned the line between acceptable support and inducement, asking, “How much money can we say is appropriate in the circumstances? If somebody gives a delegate GH¢200, is it an inducement or what is it?” The committee is considering empowering constituency councils of elders to handle cases or referring offenders to the national headquarters, with proposals to be scrutinised before a special congress considers constitutional amendments.
Fuseini’s warning underscores the broader impact of costly campaigns on political participation and the integrity of Ghana’s democratic processes.
