Vote-buying: Heavy political spending fuels corruption – Inusah Fuseini

Former NDC MP for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini, has warned that heavy political spending fuels corruption as politicians seek to recover the money they spend to win power. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, he said the financial demands of politics also exclude women, young people, and people with integrity. “Also, when you spend a lot of money, politics is not Father Christmas.

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.” His warning comes amid reports of widespread alleged vote-buying during the NDC’s latest constituency executive elections. Mr Fuseini said the growing influence of money was narrowing access to political office.

Those without substantial resources were being pushed out. “Those heavily impacted by what is happening are women and the youth because they might not have the required resources to be able to do that,” he said. He added that people with integrity and reputations for public service were shying away from politics because they could not afford its financial demands.

Mr Fuseini said efforts to address inducement had exposed gaps in the NDC’s constitution. His committee recognised the need for sanctions after acknowledging that inducement had occurred during the elections. However, it found “there was no legal mechanism in our constitution to deal with that”. He explained that the party needed clear provisions defining misconduct and identifying the body authorised to handle complaints.

Without those rules, disciplinary action could face challenges. “So we need a framework,” he said. The committee is considering whether constituency councils of elders should handle cases locally. Another option would be to refer offenders to the national headquarters for the Functional Executive Committee to act. It is also examining the boundary between legitimate support and inducement.

“How much money can we say is appropriate in the circumstances?” he asked. “If somebody gives a delegate GH¢200, is it an inducement or what is it?” He also questioned how the party should handle payments described as transport allowances when the amounts exceed reasonable travel costs. Mr Fuseini said the party would further scrutinise the proposals before presenting them to a special congress for constitutional amendment.