Emmanuel Wilson, Chief Crusader for Crusaders Against Corruption, has expressed disappointment and concern over the lack of action taken by law enforcement agencies regarding bribery allegations during the Ejisu by-election.
Wilson noted that allegations of bribery by high-profile politicians in the past have been left unpunished, which sends a message to the public that engaging in such acts is normal, contributing to the seeming rise in such crimes.
“When you look at history, particularly the two immediate past by-elections in Kumawu and Assin North, the same thing happened. What hurts me is that we’re allowing illegality to become the norm,” Wilson said in an interview with Metro TV.
He emphasized that vote buying and selling are criminal offenses under Ghana’s criminal code and other laws, yet law enforcers seem to turn a blind eye.
He fears that the phenomenon of vote buying and selling is becoming entrenched in the country’s body politics, which could be dire for Ghana’s infant democracy.
“If you live in a country where citizens know there are laws but the laws don’t bite, it means they’ll gradually become comfortable going against the law, knowing nothing will be done,” he said.
Wilson questioned the inaction of the Special Prosecutor’s Office (OSP), Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana Police Service itself, saying,
“Their quietness suggests and communicates to all other politicians that as far as you engage in an illegal act related to elections, you can go free.”
Background
A viral video surfaced on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, during the Ejisu by-election, showing the MP for Kwadaso, Kingsley Nyarko, giving out money in a white envelope to two EC officials.
The EC has since condemned the act and suspended the two officials pending investigations.
However, Wilson called for the immediate arrest and investigation of Nyarko, as his action on that day was criminal per the laws of the country.
“If the act wasn’t captured on video, nobody would have heard about it. So, clearly, the EC has a lot to do to ensure transparency, confidence, and integrity, particularly in the coming general elections on December 7, 2024,” he said.
The Crusaders Against Corruption are demanding swift action to address these allegations and ensure the integrity of Ghana’s electoral process.
By: Bright Yao Dzakah | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
