NPP Primaries: Gyampo doubtful over NPP efforts to address voter inducement

Professor Ransford Gyampo has expressed deep scepticism about the New Patriotic Party’s ability to curb voter inducement ahead of its January 31 presidential primaries.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority said the practice of inducement, commonly called “treating” or “monetization” in Ghanaian politics, has become so entrenched that eradicating it would be extremely difficult.

Speaking on Joy News’ Newsfile on Saturday, Professor Gyampo reacted to recent admonitions by the Chair of the Presidential Elections Committee, Joseph Osei-Wusu, who cautioned aspirants against inducing voters.

“They should be bracing themselves to just annul the election because we’ve heard promises that the election is going to be riddled with treating,” he remarked, adding that history offered little reason for optimism.

He explained that treating in politics involves the illegal provision of food, drinks, money or entertainment before, during or after elections with the intent to influence voters’ choices.

According to him, such actions amount to bribery and corruption, undermining merit and fairness in electoral contests.

“Everybody does that,” Professor Gyampo observed, but quickly stressed that widespread practice does not justify wrongdoing.

Reflecting on past elections, he argued that inducement has consistently featured in Ghana’s political processes.

“The fact that everybody does it doesn’t make it right,” he said, noting that repeated violations have weakened public confidence in commitments to clean politics.

He added that when he heard the warning issued by Mr. Osei-Wusu, he laughed, saying it would be a “tall order” for the NPP to set a new standard that others would follow.

His comments come at a time when the NPP is making public efforts to project unity and discipline ahead of the primaries.

Five presidential aspirants — former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Kennedy Agyapong, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Dr. Yaw Adutwum, and Kwabena Agyapong — recently signed a peace pact pledging to accept the outcome of the internal contest.

The pact, signed at a ceremony in Accra, commits the aspirants to run civil campaigns and respect the verdict of delegates nationwide.

Although a brief tense moment occurred when Mr. Agyapong delayed signing the agreement, party officials later expressed relief after all aspirants appended their signatures.

Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno, addressing the gathering, urged delegates to act responsibly, emphasising that tolerance and discipline were vital to protecting Ghana’s democratic reputation.

Despite these assurances, Professor Gyampo’s comments highlight persistent concerns that, beyond symbolic gestures and pledges, deep-rooted practices such as voter inducement remain unresolved as the primaries approach.