“Every MP has engaged in vote-buying; scapegoating one or two would not solve the issue” – Fifi Kwetey

By
Makay
-
0
8
Fifi Kwetey the General Secretary of the NDC

The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has said every member of parliament engages in vote-buying.

According to Fiifi Kwetey, scapegoating one or two MPs would not solve the issue, as vote-buying in Ghanaian politics is a societal problem that goes beyond individual politicians.

He asserted that political parties themselves are sometimes compelled to resort to such practices during internal elections as the Ghanaian society expect it.

Speaking recently on TV3’s Hot Issues, Fiifi Kwetey explained, “There’s no Member of Parliament today who can claim they have not had to engage in this practice during their primaries. It is widespread”.

“People literally tell you that if you don’t do this, they won’t vote. So, it is a society-wide issue that must be addressed from a broader perspective. Simply scapegoating one or two people does not solve the problem. If we want to resolve it, we must pursue comprehensive solutions,” he said.

Also, addressing disciplinary action taken by the NDC following the allegations of voting buying and voter inducement during the recent Ayawaso East parliamentary primaries, he stated, “The party recommended also that other people who took part in the primaries, who have government positions, whether on the board or CEO positions, should also be recalled.

So, the party has not actually allowed them to get away. Then the party now has been made a recommendation that we should have a seven-member committee that goes into a comprehensive political proposal as to how we can resolve the issue”.

“What is worth doing is worth doing well. This problem has been with us for decades. If we are going to tackle it, we must do so properly,” he stressed.

“We have made a decision that we need to come to terms with this reality and stop it once and for all. So, even those of them who may not be happy about the fact that it’s about to go, we need to appreciate it that the moment is here”, he added.

Meanwhile, Legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso East, Baba Jamal, will be forever tainted with vote-buying. 

Kpebu criticises the NDC for failing to annul the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary despite widespread vote-buying.

According to lawyer Kpebu, the NDC has so many seats in parliament already and missing out on one seat to send a direct message against the vote buying would have endeared the party to Ghanaians, adding that the party missed the opportunity.

Speaking on TV3 Keypoints, Martin Kpebu stated, “The NDC should have annulled the Ayawaso East Parliamentary primary due to vote buying we all saw. Baba Jamal’s name will forever be tainted”.

Also, Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, has said the NDC should have sacrificed the seat to end vote-buying.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Big Issue on Saturday, February 14, Mr Cudjoe stated, “I was angry that the NDC held an election marred by the naked exchange of gifts and money. For once, I thought we were going to see the end of monetisation in our elections”.

“Even if they lose that seat, what is the point? They have so many seats. If any party could change the perception, I thought this current NDC would have been the best to do that.”

See the post below: